Thursday, 4:30 PM
Patrick appointee opts out
By Frank Phillips and Andrea Estes, GLOBE STAFF
State Representative Daniel E. Bosley, appointed a few weeks ago to be Deval Patrick’s new economic development adviser, has backed out in a dispute over the scope of his duties and his pay, according to two close colleagues.
Bosley, a Democrat from North Adams elected this fall to his 11th term in the House, had been promised a position overseeing all state agencies involved in economic development, but 10 days ago learned from Patrick that his role would be limited and his power diminished, the colleagues said.
"The original offer was not the same as the final offer, and it would not have given him the opportunity to impact economic development policy," said Mayor John Barrett III of North Adams, a political ally and close friend. "It was better for him to remain in the Legislature. As he said to me, he didn’t need the job just to fatten his pension."
Bosley’s quick exit, the first stumble in Patrick’s efforts to launch his administration, offers a glimpse into how the new governor plans to operate. Patrick said he will take over the role of overseeing economic development agencies himself, revealing a hands-on style of governing that is a sharp departure from the way his Republican predecessors operated.
And while the two men insisted they are still friends, Patrick may have alienated a key legislator. Bosley serves as chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, a powerful panel that can decide the fate of policy initiatives in areas such as job creation and casino gambling. Bosley strongly opposes legalized gambling.
