Bob Oakes interview with Gov-elect Patrick

… is now up. It’s long: 17+ minutes. Give it a listen.

Here are my notes, heavily paraphrased. Sorry if it doesn’t make much sense. Oakes questions in italics:

Talks about the Working Groups’ work around the state. “We owe them the respect of their ideas.” “Simple ideas about how to make government serve better.”

Any specifics? Economic development: Good ideas from “cultural community” i.e. arts — how we can stimulate economic growth. Something like Edinborough Festival in Scotland. [That would be amazing.]

“Fiscal situation is not nearly as strong as represented by the outgoing administration … Budget realities affect the order of how we do things, not the rightness or wrongness”: transportation investments may be on a “different schedule”. Still have to plan.

Budget: Big fiscal uncertainties in new health care law. Have to get “every conceivable efficiency” out of government as it runs right now. 1,000 cops: talking to municipalities as to how many they need.

$735 million that could be cut: Oakes mentions A&F Sec. Kirwin says there isn’t that much to cut. Patrick cites specific areas without mentioning a figure. “We may not get them all in one year.”

Were the working groups an “end run” around the lege? Said early on that elected officials wouldn’t be part of transition. Chairs of legislative committees were invited and many attended. Relationship with lege is not the only relationship — have to keep up connection with public.

Want to define common cause between Gov. and lege. Senate Prez has shown great leadership in funding higher ed. Speaker [DiMasi] shown great leadership in early ed and energy.

Cuomo said campaigning to governing is “poetry into prose”: Need to keep in touch with people.

How will you stay in touch with the grassroots? Gotten some great ideas from Civic Engagement Group: Weekly radio broadcast; community meetings; move Cabinet meetings around Commonwealth.

You’ve talked about changing the culture of Beacon Hill, but you need some institutional memory: Are you stuck in a no-win situation? Some will be happy with what I do and some won’t be.

Can you maintain independence from lege while forming relationships? I *am* an outsider, but I have a lot to learn. You don’t give up your independence by trying to work with people. I’m going to do what I think is right every time, and be influenced by their better judgement when I think they have one.

What if you can’t do what people expect you to do? We can’t do everything overnight, but we shouldn’t set aside our aspirations.

Are you as jazzed today about this as you were a year ago? I’m a little tired right now, looking forward to my vacation. But I’ve enjoyed getting to meet transition people and on the campaign.

[My note: Get some serious rest, Governor. I wouldn’t get out of bed for the two weeks you’re gone. Good idea to go to another continent, another hemisphere.]

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