Deval Patrick in Moving Massachusetts Forward
On Abortion:
Support for stem cell research
We will issue bonds to invest in expansion and development of stem cell research. Proceeds from the bonds will be invested in research facilities and faculty development in the public universities to stimulate their expansion.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 4
Sep 15, 2005
On Corporations:
Regulation at the speed of business
Consistent with good environmental stewardship, no state permit or approval process will take more than 6 months. Businesses will have one place to go to manage through necessary state approvals.
We will work with local authorities & interested parties to pre-permit development sites and anticipate infrastructure needs so that they are development-ready. I will sign into law the pending legislative proposal to stimulate the Massachusetts economy.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 4
Sep 15, 2005
On Corporations:
Access to start-up capital for small businesses
State funds will leverage private capital in private investment funds to provide start-up capital for new enterprises across the State, with an emphasis on small businesses.
The more jobs created by the new enterprise, particularly in distressed areas, the more favorable the terms for repayment. Sign Economic Stimulus Package into Law.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 4
Sep 15, 2005
On Energy & Oil:
Cut Energy costs and develop renewable energy
I will cut energy costs to consumers through an active conservation education and rebate program.
We will also give fast track and advantageous tax treatment to companies investing and creating jobs in renewable energy production, so that Massachusetts becomes the renewable energy center of the world.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 4
Sep 15, 2005
On Budget & Economy:
Focus on selling Massachusetts
As Governor, working with mayors and other local officials, I will personally engage in attracting new businesses and workers to Massachusetts and encouraging those here to expand.
We will also fund a marketing program to stimulate investment in and relocation to Massachusetts.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 5
Sep 15, 2005
On Jobs:
Increase the minimum wage
[My plan for Moving Massachusetts Forward will focus on] reducing the number of working poor. I will support increasing the minimum wage.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 5
Sep 15, 2005
On Technology:
Supports state-wide WiFi
We will support new technology to guarantee wireless Internet access from anywhere in the State, regardless of region.
That access will serve to enhance education and workforce training, and public health initiatives, including childhood immunization and disaster preparedness.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 5
Sep 15, 2005
On Welfare & Poverty:
Promote more multi-family housing starts
Working in partnership with local authorities and community interests, we will pre-permit multi-family housing development sites throughout the State,
and provide additional support to local public schools to address the impact of having additional school age children in the system.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 5
Sep 15, 2005
On Health Care:
Supports Health Access and Affordability Act
As governor I will work with the legislature to enact the Health Access and Affordability Act, a credible, achievable means to bring immediate progress. Through a combination of changes in the eligibility requirements of MassHealth (Medicaid)
and reasonable assessments from employers who do not provide health insurance, the plan substantially expands access to affordable health care to Massachusetts residents.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.11
Sep 15, 2005
On Health Care:
Finance catastrophic health coverage
No one should have to choose between health care and bankruptcy. To relieve the anxiety for individuals and the burden on small businesses, the State will guarantee catastrophic coverage for everyone who is not already covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
By spreading these typically high costs over the largest possible pool of participants, and consolidating the many separate reserves now maintained for this care, per-person premiums will be reduced significantly for both employers and employees.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.11
Sep 15, 2005
On Civil Rights:
Close the racial and ethnic gap in health
Evidence shows that disparities remain in the delivery of health services based on race and ethnic origin. This is unacceptable in Massachusetts. I will implement recommendations developed by public health experts to end inequities in care.
Under my leadership, Massachusetts will be the first state to close the racial and ethnic gap in health.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
On Health Care:
Negotiate bulk drug purchases under governor’s authority
Using existing but ignored authority, I will reduce the cost of prescription drugs through negotiated bulk purchases and the development of new channels of supply. It is the duty of the Commonwealth to act in the financial interests of the people.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
On Health Care:
Invest in prevention
When diagnosed early, many illnesses can be managed at far lower cost than if left until they breed more serious health problems. To keep our citizens healthy, I will invest in a robust public health delivery system. I will place a special emphasis on
adequate childhood immunizations, effective drug & alcohol abuse education, HIV/AIDS prevention & care, and early cancer detection programs. Common sense prevention programs like these reduce system-wide costs, which saves money for insurance ratepayers.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Expand early education opportunities
Because early learning is critical to future academic success, I will expand education opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds, specifically, by working to pass pending legislation that addresses this need.
I will also ensure that free, full-day Kindergarten programs are available for all 5-year-olds in Massachusetts.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Extend the school day, and explore extending the school year
Classroom teachers are consistently asked to do more in the same or less time. In fact, the school day is still markedly shorter than the work day, leaving many students unsupervised and unengaged in the afternoons.
I will fund extended day initiatives, including additional compensation to teachers and other professionals, to enable more learning time for our kids. I will also explore the feasibility and academic impact of extending the school year.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Reduce class sizes; offer more after-school programs
Smaller class size in early grades appears to hold the greatest promise for increased academic gains. My administration will support efforts to reduce class sizes in early grades by addressing issues of the availability of space, funding and qualified
staff. We must pursue strategies to take better advantage of the many excellent after-school programs in Massachusetts today, so that students have access to a seamless extension of the academic curriculum.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Supports charter schools
I will support charter schools (especially Horace Mann charters) by developing funding mechanisms that do not disadvantage district schools and measuring charter schools
in part by whether they are producing innovative ideas that can be imported into district schools.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.22
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Improve assessment tools including MCAS and beyond
Higher expectations for student performance are essential. I support the MCAS, including the addition of a science component, as a high school graduation requirement. However, I do not believe it should be the sole assessment of student academic progress
Consistent with our objective to educate the whole child, we must develop and use additional assessments tools to measure other vital aspects of academic achievement.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.23
Sep 15, 2005
On Education:
Reinvest in public higher education
Public higher education is critical to our economy, because nearly 85 percent of public higher education students stay in Massachusetts after graduation. These institutions are preparing our future workforce. Specifically,
I will issue bonds to invest in expansion and development of public colleges and universities. Proceeds from the bonds issued to support stem cell research, for example, will be invested in research facilities
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.24
Sep 15, 2005
On Energy & Oil:
Support renewable energy like Cape Wind
My Climate Protection Plan will support renewable energy projects whenever the benefits for all of us outweigh the disadvantages. I believe the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound is just such a project. I believe that well-designed renewable energy
projects-both large and small-that pass strict environmental scrutiny deserve our support. I also believe we must develop a regulatory framework for managing ocean resources, and that we can do so in the context of advancing the Cape Wind project.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.30
Sep 15, 2005
On Energy & Oil:
Tax credits for energy efficient cars
My administration will give excise and sales tax credits for consumer purchases of energy efficient cars and appliances, and for the use of energy-smart construction materials. Power plants are essential sources of electric power and good jobs, but
they can run with fewer emissions. We will enforce regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, and work with all operators to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants across the entire region.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.32
Sep 15, 2005
On Environment:
Actively protect water and wetlands
Repairing sewers and storm drains, treating wastewater, and modernizing our water infrastructure are essential responsibilities of government.
My administration will get those jobs done. We will also restore the Commonwealth’s leadership among the states in protecting coastal and inland wetlands.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.32
Sep 15, 2005
On Energy & Oil:
Foster alternative energy businesses
I will work to make Massachusetts the world’s capital for businesses that develop alternative sources of energy and the next generation of energy-efficient products and technologies.
In partnership with local authorities, my administration will create areas with environmental pre-approval for industrial and commercial development of these businesses.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.33
Sep 15, 2005
On Environment:
Focus on environmental justice in poor communities
[I support] environmental health and justice. My administration will not sideline poor communities and communities of color when it comes to addressing the use of toxic chemicals and the clean-up of polluted sites. The Department of Environmental
Protection will have appropriate resources to run the state’s clean-up program. Massachusetts has made an important start on reducing toxic mercury emissions from power plants, but [we should] work to phase out the use of mercury in consumer products.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.33
Sep 15, 2005
On Energy & Oil:
Convert state fleet to hybrids and fuel-efficient cars
[We should] practice what we preach. As a major owner of buildings and land, and as the owner of fleets of vehicles, the Commonwealth will model the behavior we ask of our citizens. My administration will replace our state fleet with hybrids
or other fuel-efficient vehicles, wherever practicable. We will also require energy-saving products and services in all state-sponsored construction. The state will lead the way as a purchaser of energy generated from renewable sources.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.34
Sep 15, 2005
On Environment:
Invest in public transportation & smart growth
Public transportation is good for the environment, for our communities, for our quality of life and for our economy. I will invest in high quality, efficient, convenient, safe, and attractive public transportation across the state.
My administration will make transportation policy a centerpiece of “smart growth,” and will work with local governments and developers on incentives to redevelop under-used parcels of land near public transportation.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.34
Sep 15, 2005
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2019