Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

administration shakeup

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NEWS UPDATE: Governor Deval Patrick today announced a major shakeup of his administration that includes the resignation of the $72,000-a-year aide he hired for his wife and the addition of new communications and political advisors. — Developing

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  2. Here’s another underreported tidbit –

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    After debate behind closed doors over whether to have a public hearing on Gov. Deval Patrick’s $1.5 billion bond bill, the House agreed Thursday to refer the bill straight to the Ways and Means Committee.  Rep. David Flynn, co-chairman of the Committee on Bonding, Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures, which usually hears bond bills, wanted to send the bill to Ways and Means and to skip a public hearing.  Flynn said a bond bill, albeit a substantially different one, was considered last year. “This would just be duplicating the work we already did,” he said. “We’re worried about the timeframe and getting bogged down.”  Republican House members considered blocking the motion because they wanted to have a hearing on the bill, but then relented. After the House adjourned, Rep. George Peterson said Minority Leader Bradley Jones had talks with House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi while the House was in recess and they reached an agreement. “We wanted a hearing because it took so long, and we failed to get a bond bill approved last year. So our concern was why are we moving this so fast now?” said Peterson. Asked repeatedly whether Patrick favored a public hearing on not, spokeswoman Cyndi Roy said: “These are critically important projects and it’s crucial that they’re addressed immediately. The governor hopes this bill makes it through the Legislature with alacrity.” By the end of today’s House session, early Thursday afternoon, Republicans seemed to be on board with moving the bill quickly. “There’s no question it’s time-sensitive and most of the projects are similar,” said Peterson.  Gov. Patrick warned Wednesday that the state was at risk of losing federal funds without a new bond bill.

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