Gov. Patrick Won’t Support Latest Transportation Finance Plan
By: Bret Silverberg Gov. Deval Patrick said he would not support a new transportation finance plan that would create $ 500 million in new taxes.
Gov. Patrick on Manhunt Aftermath: “I Got Drunk”
People on the streets of Boston weren’t the only ones drinking following the arrest of the lone living Boston Marathon bombing suspect April 19. Gov. Deval Patrick had a few rounds himself, according to the Boston Herald. The Herald reports that Patrick drove to Rouge, a bistro in West Stockbridge, Mass. Saturday, April 20, the day after authorities captured suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a boat in Watertown, where he dined alone and was served numerous alcoholic beverages. “By the end of the meal I was actually quite drunk, by myself,” he is quoted as saying in the paper. Patrick offered candid insight into his decision making during the manhunt, the “shelter-in-place” order and the aftermath in a Q&A session hosted by HubSpot, a Cambridge marketing firm Wednesday. Patrick detailed discussions he had with President Barack Obama, the reasoning behind a decision to let the FBI run the investigation and the admission that he wasn’t sure when (or if) the situation would be resolved. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Lt. Gov. Tim Murray to Resign
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray will be resigning Wednesday, according to CBS Boston. CBS Boston reported sources saying Murray will leave to become the head of his hometown Worcester Chamber of Commerce, a position that pays over $ 200,000 a year. Murray announced earlier this year he would not run for governor in 2014. Boston.com reports there is no mechanism by which the state Constitution allows for the replacement of the lieutenant governor, meaning Gov. Deval Patrick will be without one until he leaves office in January 2015. As a result, Boston.com reported the next in line of succession for governor is Secretary of State William Galvin. Murray’s tenure as lieutenant governor has been marked with controversy.Boston.com’s report Wednesday mentioned Murray 2011 car crash in a state vehicle as well as ties to former Chelsea Housing Authority director Michael McLaughlin, who has pleaded guilty to felony charges related to concealing his salary. Patch will have more on this story as it becomes available. South End Patch
Gov. Patrick Seeks Federal Relief for Businesses in Blast Zone
Gov. Deval Patrick appealed to a federal administration today to get relief for the business impacted by the Boston Marathon bombings. Patrick sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting that the administration issue an Economic Injury Declaration for Suffolk County so that long term/low interest SBA loans may be available to the affected businesses and private non-profit organizations, according to a press statement from the governor’s office Friday. Numerous businesses on Boylston and its cross streets were forced to stay closed from April 15 to April 24 or 25 because a 12-block area surrounding the bombing site was considered a crime scene by the FBI. In order to receive this federal assistance, the Commonwealth must show that businesses were negatively impacted and suffered substantial economic injury, according to Patrick’s statement. “Requesting this federal aid will help Boston and the Commonwealth recover faster from the tragic events that unfolded at the Marathon,” Patrick said in the statement. “I urge the Small Business Administration to approve our request quickly to help the small businesses that keep our Commonwealth strong rebuild.” A preliminary Massachusetts Energy Management Agency survey found that at least five small businesses in the area were severely impacted, which satisfied the requirement for Patrick to file for the assistance, the statement says. President Barack Obama has already issued an Emergency Declaration for Suffolk, Norfolk and Middlesex Counties (the counties that host the Marathon route). The Emergency Declaration authorizes the federal government to reimburse municipalities, state agencies and certain non-profits for 75 percent of the cost of Direct Federal Assistance and emergency protective measures necessary to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe in the designated counties. South End Patch
What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?
All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. As of Saturday morning, the travel ban is still in effect. Patrick’s executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $ 500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban was too strict? Let us know in the comment section. South End Patch
Gov. Patrick Names William “Mo” Cowan Interim Senator
With Tuesday’s official nomination of U.S. Senator John Kerry to the post of Secretary of State, the field is opening up with folks vying for Kerry’s seat in his unexpired term in the U.S. Senate. But before that even happens an interim senator has to be named. On Wednesday, Governor Deval Patrick announced his former chief of staff William “Mo” Cowan will be the interim senator and will serve until a new senator is elected in the June 25 special election. Patch reported in December that Cowan, a Stoughton resident, would be stepping down this month and returning to the private sector. Besides being Patrick’s former chief of staff, Cowan also served as chief legal counsel to Governor Patrick, having served in the Patrick-Murray Administration since 2009. He earned his law degree from Northeastern University. “I am proud and delighted to appoint Mo Cowan as interim U.S. Senator from Massachusetts,” said Governor Patrick in a statement Wednesday. “Mo’s service on the front lines in our efforts to manage through the worst economy in 80 years and build a better, stronger Commonwealth for the next generation has earned him the respect and admiration of people throughout government. The people of the Commonwealth have benefited from his wisdom and good judgment during his time in our office, and will again in the Senate.” Cowan said he’s honored and humbled by the appointment. “I pledge to you and the people of Massachusetts that during this interim period I will work as hard as humanly possible to perform my duties with the needs and aspirations of our state’s citizens foremost in mind,” Cowan said. Current U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was elected in November, said she’s “very pleased” to welcome Cowan to the Senate. “As former chief of staff to Governor Patrick, Mo brings a deep knowledge of the issues facing the people of our Commonwealth to the Senate,” Warren said. “He will be a committed, hardworking interim Senator, and I look forward to working closely with him to protect the interests of Massachusetts families.” The primary is set for April 30 and the special election is June 25. Nomination papers will be made available through Secretary of State William Galvin’s office, giving candidates four weeks to collect the 10,000 signatures required to get on the April 30 primary ballot. Candidates in the Running for Senate SeatAlready officially in the running for Kerry’s senate seat is Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden). Markey announced his intentions to run back in late December. While Markey announced back in December his intentions to run for Kerry’s seat, there has also been talk – but no official confirmation – that Congressman Stephen Lynch is also considering a run […]