Governor’s Budget Proposal Released

Yesterday Governor Patrick released his budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, 2011. This spending plan is known as H.2, and is available online at http://www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy11h1/. Our Commonwealth continues to face significant challenges due to the economic recession, and H.2 represents one approach to addressing them. House and Senate proposals will be developed and debated as the year progresses.

I encourage you to examine the Governor’s proposal with an eye toward whether or not it contains elements that can spur economic growth and job creation, or whether it revisits modest itemized spending cuts and tax increases to achieve balance.

Two items that are of immediate concern as I review the proposal is that once again it proposes a tax increase (on candy and soda), and it increases overall state spending by more than $1 billion.

A Good Fisheries Decision

Today I was compelled to appear before the New England Fisheries Management Council in Portsmouth, N.H. to request that it reconsider a recent decision to reduce allowable scallop catch to below levels which are sustainable biologically and needed for the viability of the Massachusetts fleet. This was a case of seeking fairness and sound, rational decision making on behalf of our fishing families.

Fortunately, the council took decisive and responsible action to reverse its prior actions, and I commend the members for the stewardship of our resources and our fishing industry that they demonstrated today.

A preliminary news account of today’s events is posted below.


Gloucester Daily Times...Fishing Council Backs Off, Raises Scallop Limits

A Visit From Anatolia Students

Yesterday I had the pleasure of welcoming students from Anatolia College to the State House for a brief tour and discussion of the role that Greek Americans and Greek culture have played in the history of our state. These students, in Boston to participate in the Harvard Model United Nations Conference, were enthusiastic and engaging.

Anatolia College is a special institution, founded in 1886 at the Merzifon Seminary in Greece. Today it is housed on an expansive campus in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. American operations are based on Beacon Hill.

Please visit http://www.anatolia.edu.gr/intro.jsp?extLang=LG to learn more about the school and its history.

Interesting Perspective

Boston Herald Letter to the Editor: Brown, Be Part of Solution

Gloucester Daily Times Editorial

A recent editorial in the Gloucester Daily Times makes some good points about the Education Reform bill that was signed into law by Governor Patrick on Monday, January 18th.

Gloucester Daily Times Editorial

Progress Made in Strengthening Education

From today's Gloucester Times: "Tarr sees reform in final ed bill"

Veteran's Agents Come to State House to Discuss Important Issues

Today Veterans Service Officers from across the Commonwealth came to visit the State House and discuss issues of concern to the men and women who have served our nation in the armed services. Among the leaders who organized this event was Wilmington Veterans' Agent Louis Cimaglia, with whom I am pictured below.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss a number of key issues with Lou, including adequate funding for our Soldiers and Sailors Homes, funding for Welcome Home bonuses for our veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and outreach efforts to ensure that those who deserve benefits are aware of their availability and the processes to access them.

Also attending today’s event was Secretary of Veterans’ Services Thomas Kelley, a distinguished veteran who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War. Tom is always available to assist veterans in our state, and it is an honor to work with him.