Governor Patrick signed the Oceans Act 2008 today at the Aquarium. Massachusetts is leading the way on the important issue of managing offshore resources more effectively and if used correctly, the measure should allow for a proper balance to be struck between environmental protection and commercial development. Conservationists see this as a potential model for other coastal states going forward and there is nothing I like better than seeing us lead — not lag — in developing innovative policy. Here is the link to the AP story.
I think what the passage of this Act also shows is that Governor Patrick is fully engaged with the legislature in shaping important initiatives and getting good bills to his desk, regardless of whether he initiated them or not. In the previous session, due to neglect or because of his opposition to Cape Wind, Governor Romney didn’t lift a finger for this bill and the House ran out the clock on what has been a Senate-led proposal (championed by Cape Cod Senator Bob O’Leary and Senate President Therese Murray). But with an engaged Governor getting his administration behind this and the Senate President pressing hard to get the House to pass this (by holding up some of their priorities), we have a landmark new law.
I look forward to this measure being followed soon by the Life Sciences bill, more important bond bills, the energy reforms and the corporate tax package. Not a bad set of victories for Governor Patrick, working with the legislature, to close out his first legislative session with.
Deval actually accomplished something. Amazing!
<
p>I was begining to think he specialized in legislative failures and jestures of marginal import. Casinos, a personal book deal about how successful he is, and countless other ditties were starting to show a pattern.
<
p>Welcome to real work Govenor Deluxe!
<
p>
When the ink is dry on this two-year legislative session, Massachusetts will have passed some pretty important laws, with Governor Patrick at the wheel in getting it done.
<
p>