The document, published on mass.gov, lays out a series of priorities in six key areas (job creation & economic growth; clean energy; education; health care; public safety; and cities and towns), as well as a list of the administration’s accomplishments in each area.
It’s worth a read. There’s quite a bit of stuff in there that didn’t get nearly the news coverage that, say, the drapes did. For example:
Helping Businesses Grow – Created the Development Cabinet, chaired by the Governor, to enable cooperation on a project-by-project basis among executive departments that are key to stimulating economic growth statewide.
- Announced initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness of environmental regulation, to spur business development while remaining conscious of the environment. Proposed changes include streamlining some environmental permitting and wetlands appeals.
- Appointed the state’s first-ever permitting ombudsman to help spur economic growth by speeding approval time from two to three years to just six months on development projects.
- Announced plans to begin modernizing and reforming the state procurement process to simplify how businesses participate and to expand the pool of companies who compete to provide Massachusetts with goods and services.
- Announced plans for greater support of affordable housing and job creation through the use of tax-exempt private activity bonds, with the shift favoring multi-family affordable housing projects.
- Expanded the Massachusetts Office of Business Development sales force to help businesses grow in size and strength, to encourage large companies here to remain here and to encourage new ones to make the Commonwealth their home. To date, the sales team has identified 364 companies that want to either relocate to Massachusetts or want to expand operations already here.
- Launched the $100 million MORE jobs capital program. The Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Jobs Program will provide infrastructure grants to municipalities who partner with businesses committed to creating at least 100 jobs.
I recall hearing about some, but not all, of those initiatives. Maybe that’s my fault; maybe it’s the media’s; maybe it’s the administration’s press operation. Most likely, it’s a bit of each. In any event, it’s not like the administration has been doing nothing but reeling for the past 100 days.
Also, there’s a new “call Deval” line on which you can leave messages about topics you’d like to see the Gov address in his podcasts. Just call 617-725-4012. Sound good? But wait — there’s more! Call now, and you’ll also get … [finish sentence in the comments]
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I thought that MORE was a Romney Administration program. I worked with someone in September or October of last year who was considering making an application.
Gary, you are correct sir.
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It was signed into law on June 24, 2006. Oh wait a second, the first grants aren’t given until 2007-2008, so Deval can take credit for “launching” it. Kind of reminds me of Marty Meehan “claiming” he created Renewal Community Legislation, when it was J.C. Watts.
Scot Lehigh’s write up on the first 100 days is somewhat different – though I couldn’t tell for sure, because I’m pretty much just not reading his columns anymore lol.
It was mostly a boring cynicism as usual, but I did enjoy the word “Spitzpatrick”
I would love to see a weekly column in the Globe or Herald and other newspapers across the state where by Gov. Patrick outlines the accomplishments of the last week and discusses current actions and projects. The newspapers don’t always pick up on everything, but I think they would do a great service to their readers to give the Governor an outlet to communicate what he is working on to a wide range of citizens.
“The Weekly Deval.” There’s a lot of stuff that flies below radar but that is actually worth knowing about. I doubt the papers would commit to running it, but maybe some bloggers could be talked into it…
On jim braude’s show, except it’s once a month…. and a little different in format.
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However, I think it’s a good idea.
A radio show is great, but transitory, and it takes too long to listen to the recordings.
Yup, sounds good. And I hate to be the lady with a hat pin in a room full of balloons, but think of all the things he’s doing/done already. And this one blog has produced dozens I sure.
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One question, when would Deval have time to be GOVERNOR?
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He has 4 years. not all the great ideas we have can be implemented in 100 days. I’m not saying he wouldn’t if he thought it was a good idea and didn’t have to get past Speaker DiMasi.
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I sure he’s found the best techies to surf the sites and record the ideas. And I’m sure when he is burning the midnight oil, some of that time is looking over what his “civic engagers” are saying about issues, good ideas and constant support. I recently read, (probably here) that a phone call from Bill Clinton got him back on focus.
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Remember he has VP’d corps. and budgets so much bigger than the Commonwealth’s.
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He just didn’t have a camera in his face every day or camped outside his house.
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Damn paparazzi needs to back off.
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All the good ideas, will come in good time. In the meantime, let’s just keep adding to BMGers “‘Wish List for Deval”!