4/2/09: "Ask the Governor", pt.2 with MA Gov. Deval Patrick

" was human Marjorie is online and on demand. For the whole country the first Thursday of the month Boston. Nobody to ask the governor and with Deval Patrick on Boston's talk evolution yeah. 960. He came came."

" As I can that's our theme song is being eaten midnight move from -- I don't. So no you know I'm Santa I have I have and beloved friend regional Lindsay who's just. -- to judge who which is passed which is two wonderful. Friend and former law partner and it's really in my mind use. In college. He was DJ on the college radio shows and he was the midnight -- we -- the calls as the Derek is calling from Boston -- thank you for world."

" I governor they keepers taking my call. I in my actually coats. -- Arm and I got an email fax her might that -- yesterday flooding in note that it -- make an announcement that the state in the offering. The auto loans at lower rate from the federal. To college student on sporting -- and with the early welcome news for my family because. I wanted to post kids in -- in the mean. The school right now ailments that there's in the press in Mexico actually it's on in college so basically my question is where is the time line. On the loans when will be be available in you know what what other eligibility requirements to be indeed you know we've wanted to get on because you know we've we've really helper now -- be together. We gathered financial. Aid packages and it here."

" Where it where you going on there. Excellent okay and you're in your first year. That's -- that's -- well I wish you well let me M four other listeners explain what we're talking them cannot come back here your question there is a program for. Lower interest student loans that the state has run for many years through an organization called meet. And that's cheese educational financing. Authorities think it it and it's an agency authority. And if you remember back about a year ago this time effect exactly a year ago this time as the credit market collapsed. It was a real crisis because -- couldn't raise the bond funding to -- student loans and it really stepped up we worked closely with and to make sure that people knew of other. Alternatives and private -- from from sources but we couldn't keep the state program going as you can read raising money and time when we're through the summer. Together with the credit markets and we're able to issues -- his success to successfully close. A world of 300 million dollar. Bond offering one of only two states in the country and I'm able to do it and that means that. Effective yesterday there are. In excess of 300 million dollars available for student loans. And slightly below market and that point below the private market from Massachusetts students and Derek the way you find out about. You're eligibility for this and other. Student. College financing is to go on the Mika. Website which is need for -- And there's that is a way that it walks you through your eligibility and FE union and we hope it works out for our political we appreciate. Your. Analyses Samir is calling from --"

" I I work thanks for coming on you debt. Just on the find out the status of the people in part to think it's it's just really important bring jobs to Massachusetts and in also. -- terms so it sort of energy."

" Thank you for their questions and we're that cape wind project is you know one that's important -- to media know that there is. You know -- thoughtful views on either side of the question but on balance I think that's a project it is good for a season Windmills for those who may not know what we're talking about the Windmills. Proposed foreign Nantucket sound. And all of or almost all of the state approvals have been done as a key one we're waiting for now from the federal government which has most of the the and responsibility here. And the last pass I think has to come from the Coast Guard at this point and that has to do with navigation. That could come any time. And media may even leave this spring there's no. Deadline. Necessarily and know that they are focusing on it in that. In Washington because it's and we had yet we were asked by the new secretary of the interior. To send and no lines it's renewing our support for itself I hope it's gonna be -- soon we can use the year. We can use the jobs and we can use the alternative energy on the -- and elsewhere."

" Thanks equality govern your toward Ted Kennedy about this is -- knows Ted Kennedy is by the highest profile. Opponent and he's arguably use some legislative maneuvers which have been unsuccessful so -- to stop this thing it's the major difference or a guest policy there was genuine him you're talking about --"

" We have talked event and in -- as he himself always graciously says it's awkward. As he feels very strongly that and here's one. One point that I share which is about the importance of having any idea. A regulatory structure in place before these projects come. Come along I think as a practical matter we have invented that regulatory structure with with -- point but you member of the oceans bill that was -- and the legislature last. -- this was something that the that the Senate president and and and we worked on together it was an act enacted in it's it it governs. State waters. Cape wind is in federal waters but in state waters it's really a way to. Develop a plan for a statewide so it's not quite so so random is not. Left to. Entirely to the nation is an individual developers so we sorting out now. -- where we want to do. Commercial development alternative energy we -- we want to concentrate on fishing habitat we want to concentrate on conservation and preservation and so forth and that process will take. A -- Euro -- or so but it will put its like if it's if you think it zoning. Because it is as developing a zoning plan for for state letters get this at a candidates and I think that's very much responsive to that. Sudanese an important point that it can any man."

" protect the next goal you were on NBC in my station for a town hall meeting minorities Seoul last question yesterday it was last week was if I'm paraphrasing with the justice great if there are we need to raise revenue. Would you support a sales and income tax increase and your answer was something like an unequivocal no I spoke to -- the speaker might show last night and he said this elsewhere that while he is actually not open to an income tax increase hand he is open to a sales tax increase in effect he in the Senate ways and -- through so in the past and you caucus may be it should be at 6% -- 5% yes if that was part of the fix for this. Hughes is huge and growing. Gap in this budget thing if they put a sales tax increase."

" When I signed it I'm not there and I and the reason I'm not players because we proposed a handful of very targeted increases you know eliminating their Telecom exemption into -- Here before. We've talked about he had a state like meals tax or. Quorum hotel tax as a way to close again open them in locally. And give cities and towns alternative. Mechanisms for raising revenues -- have to be quite so dependent on property taxes on on on state even tried to be more targeted the gas text. You know. A real tough but more targeted and -- transportation dedicated eminently and that's -- to go and and -- broad based -- has been in Iran and China India Iran. You know I'm not really well I have ruled out announcement at -- wanna be danger with and with the legislature I know we have serious issues beat big challenges and one of the things they Euro time. And in in a target at this increasing. It's a pattern of meal. A collection of mail and developing new files -- patently. It is nine of these times tough unprecedented. Challenges. Time to step up and make it be make the big decisions but right behind you but not my program. And you know I've gotten to the point of saying to people when they say well why did you cut here and now there is no money if not there -- widget. Where would you take it take it and -- nineties. It was getting hammered me. Last it was getting hammered a picnic and there's no people are gonna and we we -- around. Here and I mean leaving aside you know the turmoil in the last couple week. -- and pushing to change agenda from the beginning. In that. Their changes people like campaign changes people don't like in there and who likes what depends on who it is visits Ottawa former flag your answer. Health care reform our ethics and pensions."

" She's she's on the -- now here is change I do that you you rolled out your proposal for pension. He paid to post oh weakness on -- like that I'm an instance I'm obsessed with pensions. Dislike her -- demeanor I don't have sources and."

" About it what you done and the beauty -- your ideas in the things thinker hurt her will be likely to get somewhere in Massachusetts."

" We've been we've been pushing this since October last year in fact I think one of the things you know -- use this opportunity in every crisis and in this. Fiscal. Crisis we have opportunities I believe. To get at some of those subjects that are just hard to get it under normal. Circumstances and and pension reform -- and one. I think there -- some out lives that are ram reverend -- familiar and to people things like the year in the game will you know that was that at -- odds -- enough anyway this is all this we're so generally yeah there's a week -- a whole -- wrote that he. The -- when news is that 23 years and years now work for it you know he joined the tee at eighteen you then you work for 23 years and -- you start collecting your pension. On the day after you're -- and you knew when you -- go get another public and I'll go to another executives -- people do that's right they go again another public that they start earning another yeah. Another pension and double dipping kinds of things is that. Now some of those that are very -- and you know what gets counted for compensation. That'd just be wages and salaries instead of other benefits it's comparable to provision in the -- health conscious and you're right that's -- that's. Some some of those kinds of some of those pensive and outline. You know there within the rules but they just to reach for the times and the chance. You know I was gonna say. Something more in delicate -- just make people make it. I'm Andy discredit the whole system those. -- I think we can get it right away I think -- know they have come out of this senate bill and congratulations to descend on an in house it is now their handful of others. That are more complicated they require a little bit more analysis they have to do and you have to involve actuarial and and stuff like that disability. Retirement provisions have -- usually get that right and his condition I mean meaning you want to keep it takes more steadied again. Get that right. Does the commission in in place which is the -- meeting and they will take on if you will it next year probably finish in the next six weeks who have filed this."

" And now with all that. All that to the people commission a public employees should make should that make me nervous now know they'd they have a stake in Atlanta patient with the should be heard you have fear this is not a night and it people that have no pensions on balance people I I think and I think they're rare."

" Isn't an unnamed governor what you see is the term to Richmond will affect the polls at one thing that you did. Not include your proposal was not included in the Senate proposal as polio about last night he wouldn't commit to either. There the number of people taking -- 100000 dollars a year for -- cat has tripled since I think 2003 is we can't idea yet you don't include you threw it to this commission to consider one that's 880. Whatever is there's a ceiling beyond which government can afford and shouldn't be in."

" Not like I like the camp idea what you just said you know whatever idiots the -- regardless of is that I'm not I'm not I'm nineteen. I mean there's some there's some I want to hear and I think -- on him this this group. Think through what at what's appropriate can but you do want to outfield and and there is you know who's who's been a leader and mr. For some while as the -- and senate senate ways and means yes and he has filed a bill I think. Every year I think this session of recession for the last. If you and I I think I'm right in that his campus when twenty. But there was an account of something. If you have your way we have a pension yet I think -- actually acting is a lot of consensus a man and not just among the leaders among them among them by what it -- EU's. I think -- suggestion misses that this is may -- appeal in the -- enhance -- outline. On Monday in past Tuesday it thinks. There are times com. No it's great it's really really terrific as you know this is the kind of thing. This and I mean I think it and consciousness. And the like republic of that. About accountability in state government that you know sometimes it takes. Inning reform but it's it's time and it does mean to -- speak again about articles OK. -- It's -- Robert. From the car."

" Our governor Ryan Grant W -- keep winning. -- I'm gonna turn them off so Morehouse College alarm mode a lengthy service the other -- I I heard -- was beautiful. -- and I share I share your thoughts and prayers and -- in the -- means that you want to project."

" If anybody had earned a three hour funeral it was race while."

" Absolutely -- page obituary. -- dot com. I'm an attorney on the sole practitioner I exempt criminal. Appointments or to represent indigent defendant in district and to -- court in Massachusetts and I was sitting in the well out of need I was as I do annually. He BCS and other members of the art."

" Yet again and -- that you know again CP -- underfunded and and we are in danger of not getting compensated. As you know private attorneys and."

" Yeah yeah -- people. Represent indigent defendants in criminal proceedings correct yes and as for those don't know Brian."

" And -- about them that them you know is different you know I had this saying you know responsibility -- law abiding citizens have a lot in. You know what do you want when you. Official position to you know interacting that's very -- because not only that they were brought it to affect. The Chinese that are represented part you know -- you know that it -- defendant. Opera has you know and an effect obviously in the quality and reputation. And hopefully it will dictate policy you know it's to get you know we have."

" And ethical responsibility to the defendant but we -- that the -- on dale yes. So again I'm not that I am I don't even just as far as you know why every year it's easier to -- underfunded and we that I think or another -- by."

" And they want it how are you an address that this year."

" Well Robert first I think. Personal thank you for what you do. In your in your practice representing. Indigent defendants and a life I think we did a little better by CP CS last year and had been at a case and that. In the past but the bottom. Has almost fallen out a state revenue in the race and there has had to champion cuts. All across the board is not a single thing that's in dispute with the with the exception of a public education. And -- I think that day in this cases this is going to be around one would -- have to. Where are they going to have to use them. -- the power through it muscle through it and whatever the term news and until. Times -- net turn better. Lauren. Or look for new. Additional revenue. Sources I think right now everybody's trying to figure out. You know get a consensus revenue numbers -- it's that -- the next year that's the basis on which and the budgets are built. Says that it. Governor puts his budget in based on that how we would spend what we think those revenues will be. And that seems to be. Softening and even has budgets are being developed so the short answer is I don't have an answer yet. And at askew as do others and I mentioned this before you get on. On the phone. You know give me some ideas about what you would cut in order for for this -- you know they'll they'll hold judicial system that way. Is is also feeling the the pinch one of the ways way that they're looking. For some help in managing through this -- they have so called transfer ability. -- with in the judiciary and between the judiciary and appropriations and it really is an excess they can move money from war. I'm pressing. Needs like exe PCS and I'm I'm all for the."

" Robert thank you for -- take a break he's Deval Patrick governor to come -- more of your calls right after this."

" Boston. Yeah nobody to -- the governor and with the global agreement on Boston's -- revolution. -- WTKK."

" Welcome back to him and six point nine didn't eat cake cancer and almost missed the -- he was talking and reading obituaries through us. Okay yeah."

" I think that people are are dead but that this unity a lot of joy on your space race and Ayers thing I think Okinawa. The final effort there."

" It was like 98 they've raised at the golden retreat -- an article to retrieve his went to a funeral."

" I mean come on it was a great life -- instrument of spectacles that McCain Caron is calling from her parents -- here."

" Karen is not in a car bomb now well thank predicting that can't shoot sixty patients. Okay I am calling about the explosion. Of the deer population. And specifically on the line is these these -- bring. And I'm wondering if it's even on your radar screens. Open up shooting happened here and -- development."

" Nearly eighty lives and are you armed."

" I am not aren't that we are where I live inside one I'd live in fact 128. And at any given -- dot there are no less than ten dear -- are looking in the windows battening."

" And I eating your garden -- garden."

" I don't mean to hair start my husband are -- to be quite last year and work first -- aren't. And they keep doesn't seem to be. Any help with the deer population and any awareness of how to carry it blind is yeah detected early. Barring a court there that take care of it yes I think you don't get it -- It is quietly years."

" Yet about a governor I don't know enough about the problem. But I can find out who does. And in the cultural. Field and I don't know and no you know further out west where we go platinum album the virtues as a regular. Season."

" A hunting season and it opens. The window for that season opens and closes depending on the size of the population."

" But within 128 I just don't know can't wait waited there is -- idea."

" I think I guess my point is hunting I think is the city classic controls. Mechanism."

" An and I just don't know what it is hunting season within 128 but I if you want to and I'm hang on offline. We can get on your contact information and come back with you -- with there a solution orders or get from you some ideas and with a solution on the."

" Them along and Joan Murray will take your phone number and ago results quarterback governor. The team ready as calling from twenty ranked moderate."

" Break. The speed rail hold governance king Arthur is calling from his car Arthur. So are there I. Yeah it's it is."

" I. I'd like to know you've given any consideration to privatizing. The department of mental retardation. And making her an oversight. Management rule book which brings the family Afghan like they used to be an awful yeah. That when they -- is spent that would it was institution for families -- more involved."

" And and you you don't think they are now --"

" and the synopsis I've seen things. Am I used to work in the all I've seen things that truly error and fairly -- think about it."

" Tell me tell me what you mean by privatizing department of mental retardation did that -- it's that simple answer the question is I hadn't thought -- tell me what you mean. What would you do our."

" bringing in some of the private companies like the vendor companies which. Do the exact same thing yeah. And work under the if they work under the department of mental retardation anyway they just work under the management division can. And and it's basically the same structure it's just not state employees it's not unions -- and is not good ol' boy network."

" What are you apart from the good old boy network what do you what he can you think there's some savings -- to gain a quality of care that you gain."

" is so from what I have seen very very top heavy with management. -- or its its. It simply doesn't need. The amount to. Management and executives that it has for its work -- at my record and."

" I mean and very -- did he say that -- and all the labor cuts we've had two we've had to make that album I'll take that back and thought about it before -- so thank you for the M thank you for the suggestion."

" Governor quick question on another -- you filed this ethics proposal following the resignation of sell the -- we -- is under federal investigation himself. And you -- in thirty days -- thirty days -- Leo okay that was some pretty comprehensive one of the the glaring holes I think it's a good proposal one of the glaring holes there was seniors that is not in his allows non -- obvious essentially to give whatever amount of money they -- with very few exceptions to -- politician and which. The sort of I guess one -- Dianne Wilkerson and rule where she said she got 10000 to the tens of thousands of dollars sometimes an unmarked envelopes which people were as giving to her cause they liked her and wanted to help or where their mortgage and whatever. If you pressure the speaker to put that back end and and -- where does that stand how -- going to fight for about."

" Well first one who I want to thank the speaker and house for a really great. And for a for taking it up. As promptly as they were able to ethical get a good deal out of the Senate as well and go from there I've talked to that I've talked to the speaker about about that he -- and gratuities. That provision that I think it is and and that I think there's some sense in the house that. This is dressed in other part. Parts of existing law what we're trying to do is fix them ambiguity and we think that them clearing up that ambiguities of good things that yes. I do intend to continue to press forward on the Senate side and in conflict. -- it it just wouldn't be real clear here though I -- because the speaker has been marvelous partner. If you -- has been just a marvelous partner and he. Pushed. To get this bill through his chamber and it came out with a unanimous vote very very strong. Strong bill. We'll continue to. To push for the -- Additional item but it is easy it is a fabulous place to start from as media movement which."

" about texting us and the Senate president has not even commented on from what I understand from what came out of the house and one would argue own speaker former speaker of the Macy's. The greatest unethical acts one alleged one not. Had been in the sense I would essentially tumor members were partly dragged out of the doling. Are you troubled by the black of speed which the Senate is addressing."

" I actually think we'll get an ethics bill out of the of the legislature both houses and ready for my signature before the budget I think we'll get pension bill as well. It actually the police officers and -- mr. recently. Parking garage and bonds now."

" get cleric when we can't fly around all -- all the time Governor Deval Patrick reviewer and is excited to detect."

" Boston's total evolution. Now much to ask the governor and with the Deval Patrick on Boston's -- evolution. Six WTKK."

" Welcome back everybody 96 point nine PP eight things. Patrick you can and -- and will go to. And calling in need."

" Yet and that is Matt hammer graduate and descent that are currently happily happily go out there. I applaud your commitment to public higher education as well as your recent proposal to allocate -- one point six million dollars to. A federal stimulus money to the -- system it feels -- coming. Now. -- an -- to attract a secret that it didn't -- into Afghanistan from a different cities throughout Massachusetts don't. In afterthought for the second large employer must demand. We see record number of students applying marry and to our other public institutions. How quality intense -- for many reasons I'm need to preserve the quality of purple heart patient. And I question -- about the stimulants. And instead of letting her proposal. Specifically allocated for higher -- work our elected representatives street are two competing priorities. Let me expecting you know when they will make a decision on your proposal because students and administrators really need to know that they convenient for their future."

" great questions the the stimulus money that we announces a 162 million dollars for. I'm public colleges and universities not just humans but that but the whole network. Which that will enable. The institutions to moderate. Sharp fee increases that they were proposing for the coming academic year. And -- as long as the the legislature supports. The funding we have proposed in house one in the governor's budget for higher rated. That 162 million dollars will do that job so for example at UMass I think they were proposing to increase the mandatory fees by 1500 dollars. And and this would enable them to do this to do so more at the rate of inflation to moderate maybe in the 300. Range and so we do need the we do need the legislature to go along with with the house when budget -- budget minorities do and that there are a lot of champions. A higher Ed in the in the legislature including the chairman of the Senate ways and means which has been a marvelous supporter of of public higher -- and you know I continue to make this argument. About education being are calling card here in Massachusetts for a whole host of reasons and -- our. Economic power our our innovation. Economy and and the strength of Ira. Our communities so -- we gonna keep pushing an I'm looking forward to working with the legislature rounds of."

" Referred about polls I actually assumed -- you -- the -- emails and view them and wolf the Balkan emails by four. -- from Boston parents and you answer the show tonight at that town hall forum essentially saying the exact same thing wiry not fighting that is significant amount of the federal stimulus money go to Boston some of them are saying. Here's I'll read the most recent from Laura I'm -- as Governor Patrick -- none of the state she means stimulus money coming in Massachusetts is preventing future -- the Boston Public Schools to do good for cancer."

" Every -- remember that that Oprah. The government's. Actually you have video there was that famous Oprah thing we're -- show which he -- everybody gets a car are evidence of first or partial reversal and then everybody get something in. Everybody it's not it's not all at the latitude and that of the governor comes through a whole host of different channels. And theories so called title one money that comes through the stimulus bill it's more than usual at one more money that Boston gets -- a lot of communities don't and it could be that we will now I think on Friday. With the applications are. And there's something called I DE -- money is money for special needs at every community it. And then there are some requirements for the educations and you use. What you have and to meet -- or statutory. One. You know and meet and talk about what you like -- don't like the formula but the federal law requires use that money. To meet the statutory formula and so the first announcement now we made was about a way to do. And that's them. And and that depends again in the legislature's support our budget proposal to fund at at current. Levels that we make up at delta but at the end of all assembled now. The end of all this in you know maybe weeks weeks' time every single community gets out now. To the end to the point. The email -- was most for many many many fumbles yet there is not going to be enough for any community to willfully cuts between what the state is having to put in and with the stimulus. Is contributing at justice at fact. They connect -- can stuff the media so often."

" Christina is one of the second most females which is about tall ships and -- profile awful between the toll -- people. And the mayor who says were outspend the penning -- they -- fund police protection the arguments go from tall ships people huge economic benefit for Boston and surrounding areas are you gonna come with a rescue for secure I'm serious financially. For security costs of four Boston for which is not just the Boston event."

" Yes no I get it I understand -- and I understand I think where the mayor is and I understand the argument at the top of ships them folks unfortunately at don't have -- Beckett the state house full of -- free cash that I can. That I can use for things like like this so I don't have the solution. -- On parity is calling from the car --"

" I can't tell you who you gonna do you -- into the last email haven't been Holbrooke and in particular to this weekend. They like about getting money and what -- or hope or capping and great feeling that any probably getting any money we're hitting him in -- is. I don't Hulk itself. When we only have one elementary on entry and it drinking article yeah. All of them into sepia. And apparently now we're not gonna get any money. And -- colonial -- talking about six in the formula. To make -- current account that it can't be out of the summit on that I get money getting money."

" Well Chris again petty you gonna get money. And and so you just going to get it through. A different channel perhaps than and Townsend and announce a rate that -- example that that special -- money which will displace a Monday. Demands on the -- But in Holbrook -- on that list as well so I and I can I get to that information I don't have at my fingertips right now if you want to hang on well. A certainly try to get it to -- ledgers. As well by the end of in the next week at the guests at the end of this week who would know about the so called title one money. Do we want for that Tom conversation. At events of the title one. Money we should know by the end of this week. In will what we gonna do is make it chart a small towns and it shows all the different sources and in the bottom line. Pretend we don't have the latitude. In the stimulus that that a lot of people think we do to just pass the money around we are looking by the way. And whether the EU's. Whether certain portion of them the stimulus gives us. The chance to put. And the minimum. Per student contribution. In every. A school district including a may be most especially those that did not get something in me and that's what we -- tipped -- to meet the formula. So it's not a lot of money go to any money makes a difference these days and an education something and I'm committed to doing what we can't."

" Thank you very much local governor. Freeman. You very much for your time thank you -- we will see you got him thank you."

" Thanks for downloading and listening to Jim and Marjorie. Come back often Boston's talking evolution but these six million WTKK. It is fun line. And on demand."