7/03/09 Ask the Governor with Deval Patrick, Jim, & Margery Pt. 2

" Nobody to ask the governor -- with the global agreement on Boston's -- evolution. Six lying WTKK."

" Welcome back that the governor is the program you and -- treatment six point nine T he K. This whole like I was very nice that's a very good this is -- great. Was just slow the course is to him now let us -- aspire to be dismissed him let's go to the Charlie is calling for I'm currently using touch."

" There are under governor how we use our little the issue. -- I was wondering you know in these times of austerity. Yes are closing down government services. Registry -- you don't want you. Do not think it and extravagance to maintain an office in Washington."

" No way am and I tell you why Charlie appreciate your question very much. I am like I think it's 33 other states. We have a small office in in Washington it's we've had. A Washington office through Republican and democratic governors and in the last couple years. The office of the year that has been working with me has hoped to bring. Billions and that's with the -- back from not from Washington 24 plus billion dollar. Renewal of the Medicaid waivers ten plus billion dollars in. In recovery in other federal funds and net at work happens. By working very closely with the staff of the congressional delegation which is marvelous. And with a staff of idea of the administration's. In Washington -- Republican. Or Democrat and because week. Have such a -- blast -- and need a robust partnership with the federal government right now to drive. Many aspects of our agenda particularly around -- job creation and economic and development this is a theory I think prudent. Investment even though we're having to -- having to use. Cutback in many places in effect we attacked in this office as well but I appreciate him that question."

" Twelve Dem I think for the only may be one of few states that as a 100% over congregate our delegation. Are Democrats we have a governor who obviously is a pretty close relation -- states would we not. Have received billions of dollars to the work of Kennedy Kerry and then plus you you through local staff as opposed awhile."

" And office we leave a tremendous and hand in the past I -- in in masters has slipped a tremendous amount of federal resources on the table and there's an awful lot of work in the in the congressional delegation -- tell -- the same and have. They unanimously support. Keeping -- a Washington office and from Massachusetts. There's tremendous amount of work than that today is absolutely necessary staff to staff. I -- to tee up issues Ford's decision to anticipate. Issues to watch for -- and congressional. Actions that may be outside of that. The notice of our -- congressional and delegation to bring to your attention as it at me affect our interest here in. In the -- so it's it is a I think Kate yes it's a fair question Charlie and I asked that one and a few quite strongly is that we answer directly."

" It's entries ago revenues obviously the sales tax increase from five to six point 25% some other tax increases as of August the first -- in the the year the press event -- was unprecedented at the time of the signing said at some point there may need to be a gas tax but it's clear about not on the immediate -- language you -- your colleagues and I casinos. You have a speaker we have a speaker of the house who unlike his predecessor who is against this stuff once slots at racetracks have a governor who wants -- vehicle -- not recreation with the resort to resort -- and casinos where does that stand and are we about to revisit that. Come fall because legislators like to say and I mean you make true that's not really. It's a voluntary. Act on the part of the -- players there is so it's not a taxation kind of thing. Is that coming back in the fall and."

" Well what the the most we have talked about meaning week when I say we I mean -- presents the speaker and I is that we you returned to the subject in the fall. -- we have been in any substantive conversation about what. -- is it might take bullet bullet. How quickly we might move in that direction I think everybody appreciates. That to they are thoughtful. Opinions on both sides of that question it's not simple. You know -- after doing a lot of homework last year. I arrived at different place -- I thought I was going to arrive in terms of supporting expanded gambling and I think there is a rightly or wrongly do it. If we go and enact them. That pat and I'm but I think everybody appreciates if we're gonna have this conversation we need to give -- the time and thoughtful list and it right and a complete. And then to that and then him in the go from the -- Just go back to the calls. On the T I'm Kathy is Conning -- from remembered -- Like."

" I got Patrick Harry are you good timing and well thank you for taking my call. And I hate to always felt like a broken record with security unit count as head Bob before -- Actually."

" You see the National Grid via is that why you Colin. That's at each had defied outlets gonna have would you detailed."

" Yeah. I copied he adopted because the TP YouTube. And I know we're still. For an outcome from the PP you put my question relates specific to these statutes you because it just seems kind convoluted. If you don't mind me saying -- You know eight million dollars that's great it's gonna go back to their -- here at the National Grid but here we are in -- a country. And -- you know it's under a different statute the -- for the formula is different therefore -- four point eight realizing it's a smaller you know company's Mallard. Great -- days. But yet we're looking at a possible outcome if in fact they go with the recommended buying that it goes into -- general fund rather then coming back to the consumer. Is there any possibility that that that it can change it did not need to think that you know that could possibly. Not eating outcome in fact they went with that."

" Wish I just say is -- governor it's just gonna Mets right -- yet. Kathy is am and -- imminent -- a mini trial little context here you'd jump in if I don't get it quite right just the nature -- other listeners know which and I -- you are. -- particularly interest you because you live in the unit total. Service area utility. -- utility provider in the bird area. And unit who has been. Is under. Investigation I think it's fair to describe it for their performance. In the aftermath of the ice storm in. December. Was in December. And Christmas December last year during which. Many towns and in residence in Tampa I think in the remember you're out for ten days two week."

" It's not just about two weeks as well as many. And Pittsburgh in -- now."

" Right and and there were many other service areas affected but unit tell was the longest I think to get the service pack up and running I think I'm right. I can't."

" One mystery behind it. -- your intervention to actually. See some incidents."

" So and that what has prompted your call was a news report that national -- was fine I think for a nice to him that goes -- may -- four years. I think it was not for the same storm America."

" for airport customer service then 2006. And because it filed under different statute was told that there's that different formula that takes the fact and as such. The money can be filtered back to the rate payers."

" So so look at the if you quit your question is is at nine you to think that the that the rules can be changed now it's not I would guess and I am just guessing. That. It would be. Probably hard to change the rules. Now. Under which unit sales performance in December. Are being is being evaluated. But if the question should we be looking at how we. Treats and uniformity. In these rules across. Service areas that seems to me you know as a common sense matter pretty good idea."

" Right -- with the legislature not today. Even -- it happened in December these people were unbelievably inconvenience. Horrible service here's your money and used it."

" None of this is that that I am I I'd get that justice and the innocent of the fairness of and I'm just did this is my lawyer kicking okay. And and and I'm this is totally seat of the pants I don't know where Adam Wright and probably should be mean go in this. There are. There is a principal in the -- on that you should be held accountable for the -- that was in effect at the time the behavior. You being challenged gone occurred. And that that you should change the rules after the after the fact I just don't know at principle -- we have."

" Offended because I was over the coming toward you -- respond to that of -- I was about number three in the just farmers fairly -- number thirty you know law office in the South Bronx but -- governor the issue it doesn't affect you until the same four point six million dollars the question is who's the benefit."

" Your argument that you and I am you guys and efficient here and I love the idea of giving -- picked --"

" Having whatever the recovery is go to the rate paid and I guess I can't."

" Elaine can't change the law after the fact that's basically I just I just -- went -- with the limitations."

" stay in touch and we appreciate your -- And we wish you -- wish you good luck governor on this topic is me. You all the offers -- in question here in -- think he'll be one of the things that I. Obviously these reforms are about not knocking -- in some cases saving money transportation -- A lot of credit risk the figures that did it billions over twenty years is something to well lot of money yet but. I I'm I'm I'm guessing tens of millions year year OK does this -- in my -- because we're all worried about the come off crying broke with without its costs -- the -- like."

" Iran countries happening places."

" He didn't -- is the health care issue and has the worst offense and I talk about it incessantly about the -- the Palestinian to collect their own their own health insurance has posted that."

" State I know that their -- towns and cities that -- benefit does not that many easy because that is a big budget buster not been addressed to what's happening with that."

" Well Martin it's not quite true it has been in addressed it week. We did create. The opportunity for cities and towns to come into the GICs -- the state right care plan which is -- generally. More cost effective plan not in every case hinted that generally. More affordable plan and and and a number of communities came in but the issue we talked about this before the threshold for coming in. Is higher and many communities -- requires a certain level of union agreement right -- The a couple of proposals that are back on that table about lowering the threshold. Which is a proposal we put on the on the team is another idea I think out of office and it. The consent of the Senate and that it is different kind of formula for for coming in -- in any minute now municipalities. Who said -- and municipal leaders who said you know I forget -- not that we wanna come -- we want cynical plan design which means that them management. Would be able to say this is the kind of health care we are offering. Take it. Business leaders to be able has the control of what pet health care they attack her and asked as it was it being union think I negotiated exactly exactly incentive incentive and anti negotiated not every year but as the country that comes is one municipality for example. They were telling me but he doesn't mean it's believed it was telling me at them. They they have some municipal workers who now on a five dollar co pay. And that. There's a risk of having to lay off some municipal workers because of short. Because of the fiscal challenges. And then if they can just get the the workers to agree to a fifteen dollar co pay they can retain all of those work and it -- And -- and that this leaders not yet and it means from the union -- a Hartley. Lose this job and then now. So you know that you hear those kinds of stories and it's certainly gives me applause now Christie two sides so I haven't heard aside from the yet. From the unions but that there's a lot of there is some actions. There is some interest among municipal leaders in -- solution called plan design as opposed to just making it easier. To come into the DIC or requiring everybody coming to --"

" And who could make that happen the plant design thing the legislature yet you you know it's it's got to listen to okay. We take a break she's the governor of the commonwealth about Patrick he has -- view until 2 o'clock 617822. 1969."