In 2006, candidate Patrick spoke of the next chapter in school reform and the need for removing the kinks in the current structure and replacing it with a seamless version. Last week the Legislature agreed with him and passed his educational restructuring bill that creates an education secretariat to ensure pre-kindergarten to college coordination and continued advocacy for education at the cabinet level. We in public higher education applaud this measure and pledge to work with the governor in its implementation.
In 2006, Patrick spoke of the need to examine our tax structure and recently reached an agreement with Speaker Sal DiMasi to close loopholes in current law while decreasing the corporate tax, resulting in a fairer tax structure and rate.
But most importantly, Gov. Patrick has given birth to what I call the “Deval effect” at the national level – a new excitement about civic engagement, the likes of which we have never seen before, with record numbers turning out for the presidential primaries and caucuses.
