BOSTON – Tuesday, January 28, 2014 – In his State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Deval Patrick tonight pledged to continue the Administration’s proven strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure to create job growth and economic opportunity across Massachusetts. The Governor discussed how this strategy has positioned Massachusetts as a national leader in student achievement, health care coverage, economic competitiveness, biotechnology, venture capital funding, entrepreneurial activity, energy efficiency and veterans services; and how if continued, will help secure a successful Commonwealth for all residents.
Gov. Patrick in his office (file photo, Governor’s news office).
During his remarks, the Governor acknowledged the growing problem of income inequality in Massachusetts and across the nation, and asked employers and citizens to join state government in doing their part to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and create equal opportunities for all. The Governor emphasized that we have been most successful when we work together – government, the private sector and citizens alike – to tackle the difficult issues we face as a Commonwealth and lift everyone up.
“As I ask for the continued partnership of policymakers, and pledge my own, I also ask for the continued partnership of the public. I am thankful for the strong working relationships we have with municipalities, with the business community, with organized labor, and with citizens themselves. But working together has to mean more than cooperating for the good of your own interests. It has also to mean cooperating for the common good.”
The Governor also urged support for key items included in his FY2015 budget proposal released last week including funding for expanded access to early education programs and full day kindergarten classrooms and additional funding for higher education to help make college more affordable for students and families in Massachusetts. The Governor’s budget represents a balanced plan that reflects the Administration’s commitment to creating broad-based opportunity for all residents of the Commonwealth, managing state finances responsibly and making government work more efficiently.
Governor Patrick concluded his remarks by reflecting on his experience as Governor and expressing his pride in the grace and compassion shown by residents across the Commonwealth in the aftermath of the marathon bombings.
“I expected that serving as your governor would be the great honor of my professional life. But I didn’t expect it to be so enlightening, so humbling, and so much fun. And I want to thank the people of Massachusetts for that. I also knew that the people of Massachusetts were caring and generous. I knew that from my life here well before I was ever governor, and from the countless, quiet gestures of encouragement shown me in the last 7 years. But I could not have been prouder of the kindness and grace on display in the wake of the Marathon bombings.”