Thursday, 4:30 PM
Patrick vows to examine Romney appointments
By Matt Viser
GLOBE STAFF
WORCESTER – Governor-elect Deval Patrick said tonight that he would strongly consider overturning some of the dozens of lame duck appointments handed out by Governor Mitt Romney, who will relinquish his power today at noon when Patrick is inaugurated.
“I want to look at the whole rush of appointments made in the last little while,” Patrick told reporters after a celebration in downtown Worcester. “Not because I begrudge the governor – well, I won’t go that far. In some ways he’s been busier in the last few weeks than he has been in the last few years.”
“Look, I need, we need, people who support our agenda in key places in order to deliver our agenda,” the Democrat added, when asked what his first act as governor would be. “And I want to make sure that we have the opportunity to put the right people, the best people in place.”
The Globe reported Wednesday that Romney installed more than 200 Republican activists, state employees and others, including outgoing Lieutenant Gov. Kerry Healey, to boards and commissions in the closing weeks of his tenure. Romney had previously decried patronage.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, Patrick can repeal some of the appointments within 15 days after they are made, under certain circumstances. Patrick last night did not specify which of the appointments he was likely to reject.
Patrick’s remarks on patronage came in an exchange with reporters, after he spoke to a sold out crowd of 1,750 in Worcester, where he kicked off four days of inaugural festivities in a region that helped he and running mate, Lieutenant Governor-elect Timothy P. Murray, win a resounding victory over Healey in November.
