Not surprised at all.
"Patrick plans cross-country campaign; Fresh off a legislative victory, he looks to draw investor interest in Bay State" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | June 14, 2008
Governor Deval Patrick is preparing to hopscotch the country from California to Chicago to Capitol Hill next week, an aggressive swing to promote the state largely made possible by fellow Democrats in the Legislature who are handing him, at long last, some victories back home.
And just WHO is going to PAY for that? TAXPAYERS?
The most significant win for Patrick was this week's passage of a $1 billion life sciences industry stimulus bill. He will sign the legislation in a ceremony in Boston on Monday, then board a plane to a major biotechnology industry conference in San Diego to trumpet the law's array of tax credits, university campus improvements, and scientific grants and investments.
Right, because: "Patrick to receive award from biotechnology group
Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick, who championed legislation to invest $1 billion in the state's life sciences sector, is being honored in San Diego next week by a biotechnology trade group that represents companies who stand to benefit from the bill. The Biotechnology Industry Organization plans to give Patrick its "BIO Governor of the Year" award on Tuesday at the BIO 2008 International Convention. Patrick is slated to sign the life sciences legislation on Monday. (Todd Wallack Boston Globe June 14 2008)."
Oh, like the Hollywood stars benefit?
Also see: Massachusetts' Billion Dollar Boondoggle
He also has signed an oceans policy bill that was lauded by environmentalists, is close to winning tighter corporate tax rules that are expected to be included in the state budget, and is awaiting final passage of a bill that will encourage energy conservation.
June is proving to be a high point for the governor after a sometimes difficult first 18 months in office. The early months of his term last year were marked by controversies over his pick of a Cadillac as his official car, expensive furnishings for his office, and other political miscues.
Then he hit a low spot three months ago when his cornerstone proposal to build three resort casinos in Massachusetts was rejected by Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi and other House members. The governor compounded the negative fallout by leaving Beacon Hill to shop a book proposal among New York publishing houses when his allies were voting on the casino bill.
Awwww, poor Patrick!! Whatta life, huh?
The casino setback occurred amid ongoing delays and wrangling between Patrick and DiMasi and other lawmakers over the life sciences bill and a host of other policy issues, from taxes, to energy, to education.
But the work on some of those issues is now paying off, giving him the victory lap in San Diego and a corresponding political bounce....
Patrick will be promoting the state and his political fortunes around the country all week as he embarks on a journey loaded with stops for policy and politics.
Good thing Massachusetts doesn't have any problems, huh?
Patrick will be joined at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's annual conference in San Diego by Murray, DiMasi, and other lawmakers. Their goal will be to use the freshly signed life sciences bill to entice more companies to locate in Massachusetts, and Patrick will be collecting an award from the organization: BIO Governor of the Year. On Tuesday, Patrick will be part of a keynote luncheon, featured alongside former Florida governor Jeb Bush in a conversation moderated by Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto.
They are ALL PART of the EXCLUSIVE CLUB, aren't they, readers?!
Yeah, "politics."
On Wednesday night, the Massachusetts delegation will host a party at PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
On Thursday morning, Patrick will make the two-hour drive north, to Hollywood, to meet with a handful of studios....
Sounds GREAT!! Having a grand old time as the American public is suffering!
"I hope that we'll be able to spend a few hours on Thursday morning up in LA talking with some studios who are interested in investing in Massachusetts," Patrick told reporters recently. "It's all about growing jobs."
That why the Hollywood gig is COSTING US MONEY -- and SUBSIDIZING RICH MOVIE STARS and STUDIOS?
WHEN does the LOOTING END?
After the meeting in Hollywood, Patrick plans to fly to Chicago to meet with other Democratic governors and Senator Barack Obama at an event that is billed as a chance to heal intraparty wounds from the Democratic primary.
On Friday morning, Patrick is going to Washington, D.C., where he will speak at a luncheon and will be honored with a lifetime achievement award from the National Partnership for Women and Families. Bill Clinton was honored last year....
Patrick is also trying to set up a meeting with Michael Leavitt, health and human services secretary, to talk about Medicaid waivers that could help the state save hundreds of millions of dollars.
State money will be used to pay for Patrick's travel and hotel in California, while money from Patrick's campaign committee will fund the Chicago and Washington legs of the trip, said Kyle Sullivan, Patrick's spokesman.
You know, then I'd rather he NOT GO!!
We can find BETTER THINGS to spend the $$$$ on, rather than some VACATION for the poor guverner!!!
"We have a very, very broad agenda," Patrick said at a recent news conference."
Yeah, yeah, this is all about helping you, taxpayers! Pffft!
"Patrick launches gas-tip website
Governor Deval Patrick's administration has launched a website to help state residents trying to cope with sky-high gasoline prices. The site, www.mass.gov/gastips, includes tips to help residents increase their car's gas mileage, find the least expensive gas prices in their community, and explore alternative means of transportation. Various state agencies also are working with the Office of Vehicle Management to cut consumption by increasing the number of hybrid vehicles used. The office said there were 33 hybrid vehicles in its fleet in 2005, but there are 247 today (AP)."
Maybe CANCELING the SCHMOOZING TRIP and the FUEL TAXPAYERS have to PAY FOR (never mind the environmental damage by such an excursion) would help for starter.
I'm really tied of the elites and their papers dumping their agenda-pushing crap on us, period.
