In a 4-3 vote, the Governor's Council has approved Governor Patrick's nomination of Appeals Court judge Fernande R.V. Duffly to the Supreme Judicial Court. The reasons given for the three "no" votes range from barely plausible to laughable. … [Read more...]
Sense and silliness on municipal health care
As has already been noted hereabouts, Governor Patrick recently made a major announcement regarding municipal health care. This is from the Gov's press release (no link): The Administration's health insurance plan design proposal will … [Read more...]
Are you part of Deval’s “fussy liberal base”?
So Brian McGrory heartily approves of Governor Patrick's move to oust most of the Parole Board, and some of its staff. Terrific. So do I, for the record. But in an otherwise pretty good column, stuff like this drives me … [Read more...]
Deval Patrick’s second term is underway
Lt. Governor Murray, Fellow Constitutional Officers and Members of the Governor's Council; Madam President, Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislature; Mr. Chief Justice and Members of the Judiciary; Mayor Menino and the Many Other Mayors … [Read more...]
BMG interviews Governor Patrick
Bob was next, with a question about the role of corporations in society (and a tricky bit about Ben Franklin and Adam Smith at the end). I then turned to questions from BMGers, and started with KBusch's excellent question … [Read more...]
What would you ask Deval?
Your humble editors will have a chance to chat with Governor Patrick this afternoon. If there's anything you're just itching to ask him, drop it in the comments. I definitely intend to ask about plans to keep his grassroots … [Read more...]
The Patrick-Baker Identity
During the gubernatorial campaign, I wrote that Deval and Charlie are fundamentally alike; I said that Deval devotees are being blinded by partisan politics and their reluctance to admit they were fooled. I urged liberals to break out … [Read more...]
More on Deval 2.0 and grassroots governing
A couple of days ago, Patrick advisor Doug Rubin, Baker advisor Rob Gray, and political reporters Frank Phillips and Joe Battenfeld did an hour-long panel discussion about the just-concluded campaign. The whole thing is quite … [Read more...]
Sorry Charlie, it wasn’t Tim’s fault
MassINC's post-election poll (PDF) seems to have put the nail in the coffin of the tired idea (still pushed by Howie Carr & Co.) that Charlie Baker would be Governor-elect today, if it weren't for that blasted Tim Cahill. The numbers … [Read more...]
Deval 2.0 re-ups governing from the grassroots
Today's Globe has an interesting interview with Governor Patrick - the whole thing is worth reading. Of particular interest to BMGers, I thought, is this bit: [In 2007, legislative leaders] didn't like Patrick supporters trying to … [Read more...]