Patrick awards state senator a $175,000 job
By Frank Phillips, Globe Staff
Governor Deval Patrick has awarded one of his earliest political supporters, State Senator Marian Walsh, a $175,000 job as an assistant director at a state bonding authority, despite declaring in the past that he would not honor patronage appointment requests from lawmakers.
 Walsh |
The board of the Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority, which is dominated by Patrick appointees, will approve the appointment at its meeting this afternoon, a senior administration official confirmed today. Walsh's office confirmed the appointment after an inquiry from the Globe.
Walsh, a 54-year-old Democrat from West Roxbury, had originally been slated to take over as executive director but a Globe story, written after the newspaper obtained an internal e-mail from a Walsh adviser to Patrick's chief of staff, forced the administration to back down. The plan at the time was for her to replace the current director, Benson T. Caswell, who has extensive experience in public bonding and nonprofit debt.
Last May, Walsh's adviser, Michael Goldman, had emailed Patrick's chief of staff Doug Rubin, outlining an apparent agreement to appoint her to Caswell's $225,000 job by September. ''Is this still the game plan? If so great!'' wrote Goldman.
Walsh, the Senate majority whip, is currently paid $76,000 a year. She had been looking to give up her seat for a state job for several years. Senate sources have said her relationship with Senate President Therese Murray has been strained. She has served in the Senate since her election in 1992. She had served two terms in the House.
Walsh holds a theological degree from Harvard Divinity School and a law degree from Suffolk University. She has broad exposure to state finances and financial regulation. She served as Senate chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Joint Committee on Banks and Banking. She also led efforts in the Senate to force private, nonprofit organizations to open their books to the public.
Walsh had applied to Patrick's Judicial Nominating Commission to become a District Court judge. But she withdrew her name a year ago. The governor appointed her husband -- Paul V. Buckley, a retired District Court judge -- to the state's Industrial Accident Board, a post that pays $113,000 a year.
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I am so ashamed that I voted this governor into office. He should be impeached. He is as bad as Bush was. I cannot wait for his term to be over to get rid of him. He doesn't deserve to be the governor.
Change we can believe in!
this guy is a dope. if we vote him in again, then we got what we deserve - he is an absolute idiot
What's the surprise? He's just doing what all politicians do, the complete opposite of what they say.
Is anyone shocked by this? The entire state is a mess, and Spend It All Patrick is the seat of the problem. Vote em out people. You think its bad now, its only going to get wost.
Devoid: Just another crook.
How long till we here this is all on the up and up and it is nothing for us to worry about
Oh an then we get the tax increase so they can get paid
This is ridiculous--we have a multi-million dollar budget deficit and here we are hiring public officials for 100k plus positions...how much are our taxes going to go up to support these salaries?????? Sorry to be cynical but it needs to be said
What a shock. He wants to raise our taxes and lets go low level state employees who actually do legitimate work like social workers. But, his buddies get high level state jobs for almost $200K.
This guy will not get a second term.
And I thought Rhode Island was the garbage pail when it came to hedonism and political plum jobs. The people need to revolt for so many reasons - this one tips the scale.
Another $100,000 per year tax-free kiss in the mail for the rest of her life when her "public service" days are over.
Despicable.
Yet another case of a politician/public official ingoring his previous "promises" and thumbing his nose at the public. When does this runaway patronage stop? Between public pensions, toll and tax hikes, the unbounded arrogance of elected and public and officials ("reform before revenue is a meaningless slogan") who enjoy feeding at the public trough, and now talk of income and sales tax hikes (and don't forget the Mass. Water Resources Authority, which annually raises rates close to double-digits) regular citizens have lost all trust in state government. Joan Vennochi came close to the truth today: "But Patrick must still convince voters to trust him, when they have little reason to trust any Massachusetts politician." Close, because I would only say we have NO reason for trust.
Load of Crap
President Obama please find Gov Patrick a job in DC. Dept of Treasury?
"She had been looking to give up her seat for a state job for several years." Last time I checked, State Senators were up for election every two years. Ms. Walsh, you could have given up that seat any time you wanted. Except.....you didn't want to give up the power and live like the rest of us until you landed a patronage hack job......
Ahhhh, another example of a nationwide search which found a remarkable candidate in Duvall's backyard.
Uh, hello? State budget crisis here!
This kind of stuff makes me miss Mitt Romney.
What is the difference between Deval Patrick and Barack Obama?
No, seriously.... what is the difference?
Yup, a double double-dipping family. The husband retires as a judge, gets a judical pension, and goes back to work. The wife, doubles her salary plus a bit and boosts her pension by Deval knows-what amount. Thanks for watching out and effectively spending the money you confiscate from us.
Are you KIDDING me??
Get rid of this guy
Funny how Deval complains that he needs to raise every tax he can think of to raise state revenues yet there somehow seems to be plenty of dough to pay off his supporters with high paying jobs. What, the state can't do without an ASSISTANT Director at a State Bonding Agency while this so-called fiscal crisis is taking place? Please voters, try and remember stuff like this when this phony Deval tries for re-election.
What happened to the hiring freeze?
Too bad, I voted for Patrick, but it appears it's "Politics as Usual"
Cahill would be worse
Pays to support the guy in charge.
Oh well. How many years til retirement at the new level?
Unbelievable.....
Deval's got to go.
Oh great. Duval is okay with giving a 175, 000 job to his friend but he is cutting down childcare slots to kids who cant afford a daycare. I cant wait for him to be gone. I didnt vote for this creep and I feel sorry for the people who did. He is a disgrace!
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, I'm gonna get me one of them there gigs!
"....despite declaring in the past that he would not honor patronage appointment requests from lawmakers."
1) $175K for that job? Don't they know we're in a recession?
2) It's interesting to see how someone with a theological and law degree can make up for the financial background needed to help run this area. Sure, she's had political EXPOSURE, but where's her MBA or CFA or any other financial background credentials? There must be 1000's of people more qualified.
3) Because there's a super majority of Democrats running everything in MASS, this guy can do just about anything he wants ---UNCHECKED ---including "changing his mind" on policies. So, whats next?
4) Never trust any politician.
I'd say I was surprised; yet sadly it's what I now expect from Beacon Hill.
Apparently they don't teach Ethics at Harvard Divinity School. And Duval is Obama's "Mini-Me".
Deval; One more promise he reneged on. I can't wait to vote for his opponent.
175K for a state assistant director and 225k for a director ? and we wonder why state govt costs so much.
Let me guess, she will work at this job for three years to qualify as her three highest years of earnings. Then retire with a pension 80% of her salary. That would be $140,000/yr pension. What a deal.
Big surprise here!!!!! When are Mass taxpayers going to wake up and realize that this guy has not, nor will, honor any of his campaign promises and do something about it.
Change we can believe in!
Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.
YES WE CAN!!!
Should we be surprised???
All the limo liberals say one thing and do the exact opposite.
Just change the head on the empty suit, the rest matters little.
Did we expect anything less from a man whom chose as his first order of official business was to purchase a Cadilac for his commuter car?
For all of the folks that were shocked that the pundits were saying that taxes and fees would rise under the Patric Administration, How's that Electon Slogan working for you? " Together We Can ".
I have an idea...when someone expresses an interest in running for elected office, that should be enough to immediately disqualify them as a candidate.
Once they get in, it's all over. They just don't get it!
Nice salary-I've been unemployed for 3 years and my husband has taken a 20% pay cut. Maybe the state employees should take a 20% cut as well to help balance the budget-think Walsh and her husband can scrape by on$288,000 a year?
Surprise, Surprise!
THIS IS WRONG. One of the reasons we have huge budget problems is the financing of our debt. The state has people that do not have clue to what bond financing is all about. Just look at the MBTA and the Turnpike. Just wait until MASSPORT has financing issues. It comes down the financing products that departments issue. The Department of Education has huge Bond Debt. We need to hire people that know how get the maximum financing with minimal costs. This is just another hack appointment. Get rid of the current pols. START VOTING THEM OUT IN NOV 09!!!!
And the beat goes on
Everyone is in a recession except the government
thank you very much, as we all plug away at 5 digit $'s, and no i did not vote this guy in. impeach
Don't blame me, I voted for Muffy!
But apparantly she is somewhat qualified for the position. The question might be why does the job pay that much, her salary is for the Asst. position, and the director makes an obscene amount. These people would not take the jobs for $50,000 less? Sure they would, because they come with state healthcare and pensions. Do you think a single state senator would resign if we lowered their pay to $50,000 a year or $25,000 a year?
On a related note, she looks good for 54.
Isn't that wonderful, another hack with a big salary.
Of course... here we go again with more Mass. fiscal nonsense and insanity. Gov. Patrick is absolutely clueless regarding the state of our affairs. We read this morning that the state may be another $1 billion in the hole for declining tax revenues and he goes and hires a $175K hack. And these buffoons want more tax money from us to pay for our fiscal woes. No way as long as this absurdity with our existing tax money is occurring.
Just yucky! I guess it pays to know the governor. One family taking in almost 300K per year from the state. Go ahead, raise a few more taxes!
So the entire Buckley/Walsh household has been on the public dime for how many years? This does not make them bad people, but that is quite a coincidence that the two best people for several high paying state jobs happen to be married to one another. They are collecting $188,000 of state money every year, not including benefits and pension time. And there are probably several other state employees in the family as well.
Congratulations to the Globe reading liberals....Together YOU Can.
Can what? I know what you can do.
This is a total insult to the Massachusetts taxpayer. In my 15 years of corporate recruiting I have NEVER seen a private sector company increase a candidates pay by that percentage....NEVER. Why would you pay someone with no expereince that much money to learn a new career????? If you must spend $175K then spend it on someone that is competent.
When the State and political system is this corrupt and full of cronyism there is no way back from the brink. Lost generation. Lost State. Too many layers of dishonesty. Too many levels of unethical, unprincipled public officials. Too many people dependent on the corruption to stop it. Want proof. How many drunken, immoral, corrupt, entitled Kennedys keep getting elected?
Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!
Who will be the new Executive Director of MassDevelopment? ($250K +)
The current blowhard can't last much longer
I guess cadillac has returned from his state-trooper-protected vacation in Jamaica just in time to spit in our faces once again. He is a shameless liar of the highest degree. But I knew that and didn’t vote for him. Unfortunately, the majority of idiot voters of the Commonwealth of Kennedy voted for this clown.
So according to Obama this household is now in the top 5% of earners, all on our dime.
Each day this guy's arrogance rises to new heights. I an only tell you I DIDN'T VOTE for this Phony!
More of the same. No wonder people are leaving this state. Me included.
Together we can...
This is bad....we need an immediate change to the Pension rules now..!! ........she is going to get credit for the 16 years previous at whatever her new rate will be after 5 years at 175,000. Ridiculous.... Deval is out.... I just do not understand what his thinking is....except he is rewarding an early supporter.. Marion Walsh and her husband should be ashamed and are no different than the rest of them double dippers....Who was working under the guy who is retiring why arent they moving up?
I'd rather have Deval Patrick as governor than anyone who posts comments on this site.
On the same day the Globe runs a story about Beth Israel Hospital employees giving up pay and raises in order to save co-worker jobs, you have this absolutely disgusting story of patrongage at its worst.
Deval continues to hire regardless of what's going on in the real world and expects us to pay for it with higher taxes, tolls and fees.
I for once say that we should have this buffoon recalled!
DEVAL SUCKS!!! JUST LIKE ALL THE PATHETIC MOONBATS WHO VOTED FOR HIM.
So far this guy has proven only that the typical voters have really gotten the Bum's Rush for electing him. We can only hope that President Obama will come to our rescue & possibly appoint him to the Bench on one of the Appeal's courts. Thankfully,There are still plenty of open Spots, due to the blocking tactics of the Democrats during the Bush Administration to prevent many of his nominations from ever being considered. Patrick would make a good judge & would have no control of purse strings
She is a hottie.
I think Cahill would be worse
The crooks are making their move. We are 2 Billion short and laying off people, but whats $175,00.00 among friends? This state stinks and Patrick is a clueless liar.
This is what all you Liberal Moonbats get for always voting with your democrat heart. Once again Deval Obama continues to make us republicans question why we continue living here. Now you're questioning your vote for him and his message of "Hope" and "Change". These guys continue play you and you're left there acting surprised?
Now Obama is doing the same thing as we speak. But instead of ruining the Commonwealth, he's destroying the entire country.
"Together We Can!" and "Change You Can Believe In!", I'm a dreamer! I'm buying it!
Lots of good news today. T hires 300 while cutting back service and facing a budget deficit which Gov. Devoid wants to erase with a hike in the gas tax.
$26 MM in stimulus money to erect shovel ready? monuments to Sen Kennedy.
Another nationwide search for an unqualified candidate to fill a high paying job so her and her husband can continue to feed at the public trough.
Now let me guess. The next election for the legislature and Gov. will be in 2010 and when the results are counted all the useless politicos on Beacon Hill will all be re-elected. How do you say "4 more years Devoid"
Sadly, the people of Mass. don't and never will get it!!
"George is getting upset!"
SUCKERS.....heh heh heh
Its another case of one unquaified pol giving another unqalified pol on the job training!!! There must be a way to stop this appointment if enough people e-mail their reps.
The only change we can believe in is that our taxes and fees will go up.
This lady is a terror too.
Massachusetts voters, how does it feel for someone to spit in yor face ? Well, that's exactly what Patrick is doing. Since it sounds like the current director of the State Bonding Authority, Caswell, is actually qualified for his job, what do you think Ms. Walsh, with zero experience in the field, will be doing ? I see a lot of long morning coffee breaks, long lunches, and early "dismissal" at the end of each day in her future. This just shows, without a doubt, Patrick's utter disdain for the people of Massachusetts. He DOESN'T CARE !
East Boston says hi
Isn't anyone the least bit excited that it opens up a crazy special election for the seat, in one of the most political active parts of the city?
ANOTHER NATIONWIDE SEARCH - KEEP HOPE ALIVE.
IF YOU LIKE DEVAL, YOU'LL LOVE BARRACK.
The Globe article says "She has broad exposure to state finances and financial regulation. She served as Senate chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Joint Committee on Banks and Banking."
So, my point is, it would appear, at least, that this person is broadly qualified for the post. So what do all you wingnuts want the governor to do, appoint people he HATES to top jobs? As far as I'm concerned this is a non-story.
Is there anybody in this state worthy of holding public office? I doubt that there is, but if there is, please make yourself known to the public. I'm a Democrat, a liberal, but like everybody else, I've had it. It's time that we start a new revolution here in MA and throw all them out, both Democrats and republicans.
Call the Governor and complain. Oh yeah, you can't, he is in Jamaica with a State Police detail.
So glad I did not vote for this clown.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's support
The sheer lack of financial prudence and responsibility by our elected leaders is nothing short of revolting. It began within weeks of Patricks election when he saw fit to add some $14k drapes to his office, and upgrade to a pricey gas guzzling Escalade. The childlike egotism and materialism that a)makes him desire these items, and b)makes him feel he is entitled to spend tax dollars on them, is simply shocking. As our economy becomes engulfed in flames, and unemployment surges, you would think that there might be a shred of decency in our leaders, and a desire to do the right thing.
"George is getting upset!"
Hey Matt! Me, too, I voted for Muffy
At least I don't look like a horse.
R U kidding me!!! How is this even possible - and gee I wonder if rthe state troopers had a good on vacation with him! Oh and I just got a 5% paycut !!! Thanks for nothing!
Vote HOWIE CARR for Governor!!
Is anyone surprised that Deval (Devil?) Patrick and Barack Hussein Obama are doing exactly what we were warned they were going to do?
For the most part -- they're are doing exactly what they said they would do during their campaigns. The one HUUUGE exception being they both promised an end to 'politics as usual'... I guess not.
Tea Party sound familar? $5 Billion in debt for management and patronage wasting away our public transportation system. It's like the new "city" job as they have found a way to suck out any money out of our taxes again.
Is this what Democracy has become? No wonder we're going downhill. You have these vultures in management.
Sounds like the French King Henry and old Roman times!!!
Wonder how is Hawaiian vacation is going with the State police security???? It just get worse by the day!!!!
I voted for Kristy...I wasn't blinded by race like the rest of this dopey state. The governor is incompetent like our President.
Don't blame me! I voted for Muffy Healy for governor. I'll take a moron over a sneak any time.
More and more this guy proves my point....
"PAY AND PAY, THE MASSACHUSETTS WAY"
These guys have the audacity to tell us there is a deficit!
Charlie Baker for Governor 2010
Sad thing is he will get voted in again. He compliments this sad State.
I need to go fix the tire on my car now........Pothole Heaven
Guess what this does for Walsh's pension. Remember. She zips up from 78K to 175K. Keeps the job for three years and walks away with almost double the pension.
Nice job Devil Patrick.
Sad thing is he will get voted in again. He compliments this sad State.
I need to go fix the tire on my car now........Pothole Heaven
Spend, spend spend.....while we're being asked to sacrifice.
No there's no elitist mentality going on.
Thanks everyone who voted for this guy because "Together, we can".
HA!
She'll need a pension, if you're going to be able to keep her on board without having to worry she'll jump ship to a more lucrative private sector post.
Wait, he appointed Ben Stiller? He hasn't had a good movie in years...
Remember Marie Antoinette!
Okay, so boston.com won't go with my last post, so ...
Google — Massachusetts Health and Education Facilities Authority
go to "contact" and please call or email to register your disgust.
Seriously, other than posting our Anger (to put it lightly) here, what else could we do? Vote them all out? Good luck with that. Too many stupid people in this state as it is. They'll just keep voting for the next hack in line.
Bob#42 you said it best ....."when someone expresses an interest in running for elected office, that should be enough to immediately disqualify them as a candidate."
Challenge Deval on it. After all, he is an elected official. He can be brought down and/or forced to change his mind. Dont be so surprised by what 4-and-out-Deval does. He only knows MORE Taxes. No original thinking like cut salaries, cut government size, reduce pensions.
Next visit to the polls REMEMBER here in Massachusetts we vote a Republican for Governor and Democrat for everything else.
Also, next time try and vote for the names you DO NOT recognize!
We have the right to bear arms and form militia so that incase the government ever became corrupt we could take it back.
Deval Patrick is such a TOOL! He is writing his own legacy as an incompetent LOSER!! He is nothing more than a dishonorable, manipulative, power-hungry, self-serving politician whose actions bare proof that he has ZERO integrity!
Deval has PROVEN that he is a pimp in his Cadillac, prostituting all of the hard-working tax payers of Massachusetts. He is quite deplorable and arguably a criminal.
I bet if Deval read these comments he'd think he was reading remarks from Herald readers, yet these are, believe it or not, from the Globe! Heads up Deval, you better get on an Obama short list fast. Now THAT's change we can believe in! HOPE!
Yes HE can.....leave this state.
hahahahahahahahaha, it is for the CHILDREN!!!!!!!!
This state is one big patronage palace. Thanks Dems (or is this George Bush's fault?)
IMPEACH DEVAL PATIRCK-he has accomplished nothing and continues to lie to the very people who voted for him. He must be stopped, because he feels he does not have to answer to anyone on appointments like this. This state has become so sad, and you wonder why people are cynical.
This is so incredulous I cant even believe I read this story. This is just beyond the point of believability. This lady goes from making 76k to over 170k in one fell swoop. Has our governor gone out of his mind..... What happened to our state is in dire fiscal shape. This should leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth who voted for this incompetent. Lets see how the globe can spin this one that it was a true leadership move by the Governor.
I think this is one of the worst stories I have read in a long time
Don't worry people O'Bama is going to take all her wealth and give it to us poor people
There is a silver lining... she was an awful legislator.
Why is everyone surprised? Beacon Hill has been doing this kind of thing for decades but you keep voting these people in. Deval is only indicative of what goes on up there all the time.
The sad thing is: I won't be surprised if he gets voted back in. MA residents have VERY SHORT memories!
I am so sorry I voted for this guy. He is such a disappointment. Promises, promises to the commonweatlh......but all he does is take care of his friends.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. TIME FOR A SOCIAL REVOLUTION TO GET THESE POLITICAL HACKS OUT OF OFFICE> NOT ONLY THE GOVERNOR , BUT LEGISLATORS AS WELL. WE NEED TO PROTEST THE WASTING OF OUR TAX MONEY. LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET. CUT OUT PATRONAGE.
Louislo--
you are the reason people like Deval get voted in time and time again. I suppose you also believe unicorns exist?
Hey Mike R. I agree with you. Except Deval's Caddy was a DTS, not an Escalade.