Patrick says '07 `powerful, successful'

DATELINE: BOSTON

Adding up the successes and a few frustrations, Gov. Deval L. Patrick declared 2007 was "a powerful and successful year" that saw dozens of new policies and initiatives launched after he and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray planted the Democratic standard back in the governor's suite after 16 years of GOP control there.

The governor did not get the Legislature to agree to a closing of corporate tax loopholes to fund property tax credits for low- and moderate-income homeowners, or to his proposal for three casinos in the state.

But at the end of his first year in office, Mr. Patrick was exuding confidence and adding the word "yet" to his description, as in not "yet" gaining approvals for those two major initiatives that could bring in an additional $1 billion in state revenues.

After a 10-5 vote by a special commission on streamlining corporate taxes in support of the loophole closings along with a possible reduction in the corporate income tax rate, last week the loophole closing bill gained new footing for possible action in early 2008.

And while the governor faces substantial opposition to the casino plan, an initial hearing before lawmakers last week was seen as the start of serious debate on the expanded gambling proposals. While speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi has so far opposed the casino plan, the governor said if the vote were held now, he believes the House and Senate would approve it.

The governor said it was a year of "learning," during which he frequently complained about how slow government moved and how long it took to get new programs and policies through the Legislature. By December, his view had not changed despite a growing list of successes. "We just have to pick up the pace. There is too much the people are expecting of all of us," he said.

So far, the governor said, the state has picked up 26,000 jobs. Over the last 11 months he put in place speedier permitting systems for new development, and a group of Cabinet officials now meet every two weeks to work on pending plant expansions and expedite items related to infrastructure and finance needs for industries developing new facilities.

Mr. Murray, who joins the governor and other top Cabinet members for those meetings, said dozens of projects have gotten special attention and have been speeded up through the group's work.

The governor also has laid out an ambitious program to retain the state's position in the life sciences industry. He eliminated restrictions on embryonic stem cell research imposed by former Gov. Mitt Romney and has laid out a funding plan to spend $1 billion in public funds over 10 years to expand stem cell and biomedical research and manufacturing in the state.

The first phase of that program came with allocation of development funds for a stem cell bank at the University of Massachusetts Medical School facilities in Worcester and Shrewsbury. Proposals for tens of millions in funds for that center and a new RNAi genetic therapy research center at the medical school are in line for early consideration by the Legislature next year as part of an overall life sciences bond and tax incentive package.

On energy issues, the governor helped facilitate expansions at Marlboro-based Evergreen Solar and worked out a plan with the company to offer new state subsidies for installations of the firm's solar cells in homes and businesses in the state. He also lobbied successfully with the federal Department of Energy for a new national turbine blade test center to be built in Massachusetts, with the intent to advance wind power. Prospects for international trade involving the alternative energy businesses, the state's medical device industry, medical research and stem cell advances, were all part of the portfolio the governor carried on his first trade mission to China this month, which culminated in an agreement to start direct flights to China from Boston in 2009.

When Mr. Patrick and Mr. Murray campaigned, they promised to try to put 1,000 new police officers on the streets in high crime areas. They managed to double state funding for local police jobs and had to settle for a quarter of that number of new police. They have a chance to expand those numbers next month when a new budget is proposed.

Mr. Patrick acknowledged that he and Mr. Murray have yet to bring major relief to homeowners who have seen their property tax bills rise more than 30 percent over the last five years.

"That is something we have not been able to deliver on," Mr. Patrick said. But the corporate tax proposal, another proposal to allow cities and towns to tax telephone poles and telephone equipment, and legislation to allow cities and towns to raise meals and hotel taxes are all set to be offered again next year, with the goal of lowering property taxes, the governor said.

Mr. Murray said he has tried - since he was sworn in as the first lieutenant governor from Worcester since 1949 - to make sure all regions of the state are represented and benefit from state decisions. He said Central Massachusetts "has consistently had a voice at the table" this year.

Some results, he said, are approval for a new $250 million state mental hospital to replace Worcester State and Westboro State hospitals; decisions to establish the stem cell bank and advanced genetic therapy research facilities at UMass Medical School; $577,000 in special aid for costs arising from the Bernat Mill Fire in Uxbridge; proposed bonding of $75 million toward a $150 million upgrade of commuter rail to Fitchburg; and a $737,000 allocation for conversion of the Southbridge Armory to a youth services center.

After 11 months on the job, Mr. Murray said, he can look back on a long list of policy initiatives, appointments and new programs the administration has put in place. He said many of the biggest initiatives await decisions early next year.

"No doubt there is more work that needs to be done," he said.

Asked what he sees as the biggest change he and Mr. Patrick have brought to state government, Mr. Murray said, "I think it is a sense of urgency and focus on Massachusetts.

"Whether people agree or disagree with every idea we have put on the table, I do sense that people appreciate the level of attention and focus we are giving to solve problems at the state and local level," he said.

Mr. Murray, who has been given a large role in the administration, is chairman for statewide advisory councils for veterans services, housing and homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and commuter rail. He said last week he was pleased to oversee an increase in assistance to veterans, to take into account the rapid rise in home heating costs, and said he is looking forward to working on new approaches to chronic homelessness that will be taken up in 2008.

Learning curve: Mr. Patrick frequently complained about how slow government moved and how long it took to get new programs and policies through the Legislature.

Murray's view: Mr. Murray said dozens of projects have gotten special attention and been speeded up through the executive cabinet's work this year.

The quote: `We just have to pick up the pace. There is too much the people are expecting of all of us.' - Gov. Deval L. Patrick