DEVAL PATRICK SCORECARD YEAR 1  Jan. 2008
COMMITMENT ACTIONS BY DP GOOD OR BAD? STATUS
GOOD GOVERNMENT
Transparency Secretive deliberation on gambling; no public vote for municipalities BAD
Civic engagement ? ?
People power, not connected special interests
Inaugural ball for "the people" funded by corporations; separate private inaugural party for corporate sponsors BAD
Having huge corporate fundraisers at year's end 2007 BAD
Hired real estate lawyers to run development regulation BAD
Ethics
Ameriquest call BAD
Cadillac, drapes, patronage hire for Dianne's aide, etc. BAD
Coughlin becomes Biotech Council president BAD
BUDGET
Cut waste fraud and abuse ? Seems to have disappeared
Find $735M of efficiencies in budget Kirwan said "oops, doesn't exist" the day after she was hired BAD; looks disingenuous for Deval
Earmarks in the legislature ? ?
Medicaid fraud ? ?
Close corporate loopholes Made the proposal; set up a panel, had public hearing---but bowed to DiMasi's pandering to business interests GOOD that he started, but…
BAD that he didn't fight very hard		 Now caving to cut corp. tax rate instead,     to go more "revenue neutral"
No slots -- competes w/lottery Proposed state-partner gambling network BAD: state shouldn't have vested interest in people doing harmful things
Note: not caving to DiMasi on this one		 Not giving up, despite lege resistance
Now threatening to include casino license fees in budget to pressure lege
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
Put state surplus into local aid Oops, no surplus! BAD--he didn't know?
Proposed new local-option meals tax BAD just more taxes on the taxed
Proposed new telecom property tax GOOD; obsolete tax break
Proposed two-year residential relief at corporate expense GOOD, but temporary -- and then >>> Caved; signed Menino's business-friendly bill precluding this relief
PUBLIC SAFETY
1000 new cops
180 added so far
State Troopers not enforce fed immigration laws
But may ask immigration status during traffic stops if relevant to a criminal
   investigation
GOOD not to enforce, BAD to inquire
Cori reform
Reform proposal pending -- missing key elements
GOOD, but should include key elements
Proposed charging inmates for daily living expenses
BAD
Refused to support bill banning isolation of mentally ill inmates
BAD
EDUCATION
Merit pay for schools
?
Fairer ch. 70 education aid formula
?
Increased aid to public higher education Proposed $2B bond bill for pub higher ed, and also designated Umass for part of billion $ biotech package GOOD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Don't use tax incentives to lure businesses--that's not what influences decisions Has increased tax give-aways to businesses, including $20M MORE grant to luxury condo tower project in Back Bay, for fraudulent application BAD
Proposes $40 million for Shire & for Genzyme
Praised Ranch Kimball & huge subsidy to Bristol Myers Squibb--a subsidy he rolled his eyes at as unnecessary when mentioned at one of his campaign fund-raisers.		 BAD
Promised to "create" 100,000 jobs Doing it by handing out business subsidies -- which he said doesn't work -- rather than improving workforce prep., environment, housing, schools, which actually do attract business, and makes residents job-ready BAD
Combine public and private money to invest in private businesses (conflicts with first item above) Proposes huge subsidies to biotech/life sciences and others BAD; market, not gov, should be picking winners and losers
Expedited development Signed bill for expedited development ?  (Boston already has it's own form of expedited development, the BRA; how is it working elsewhere?)
HEALTH CARE
Supports state mandatory insurance purchase plan with "efficiencies" in record management and admin, emphasis on "wellness" No specifics on regulating insurance companies
No proposals for efficiencies or wellness		 BAD; gives ins. co's captive market w/o state regulation
Municipalities should join state insurance plan Proposed GOOD Blocked by unions
Stem cell research Proposed subsidies GOOD if money goes to general
    research at public institutions
Lower drug costs ?
Treatment on demand for drug addiction ?
Worry about public health, flu epidemic, etc ?
ENVIRONMENT
Alternative energy
?
Tidelands Refused to require licensing for landlocked public tidelands BAD; lost opportunity for regulation & mitigation of use of envir. sensitive public lands Bill passed to restore status quo, and allow any development count as public benefit
Signed RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) Good concept, but since emission cap is too high, not useful BAD unless he brings down cap
TRANSPORTATION
Fold Turnpike Auth into State Highway Dept, to save money & increase accountability of quasi-pub Proposed MassTrans, putting State Highway Dept, MTA & MBTA into quasi-public Authority BAD; less accountability
Reinvigorate regional transit systems Proposed $2.9B bond bill for rail and roads/bridges -- but how much is new? ?
Deregulated car insurance rates, allowing competition ?
GAY RIGHTS
Same-sex marriage Supported GOOD Const amendment passed
REFERENCE
http://www.ontheissues.org/Deval_Patrick.htm 
http://www.boston.com/business/taxes/articles/2006/10/22/for_growth_look_beyond_tax_incentives/ 
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/candidates/articles/2006/09/08/gubernatorial_debate_transcript?mode=PF
http://www.massdevelopment.com/press/05032007-01.aspx   
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22moving+massachusetts+forward%22+deval&hl=en&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS175US175&start=10&sa=N
http://www.devalpatrickwatch.com/    
http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2007/12/21/state_leaders_vow_aid_to_shire/    
http://bostonworkersalliance.org/index.php/?p=254    (CORI reform)