Chat transcript: Governor Patrick answers readers' questions

12:01
[Comment From Just wondering: ]
Hi Governor - thanks for taking questions. How does public health fare under the budget you've released today?

12:03
Governor Deval Patrick:
On the whole we've held the line. For example, domestic violence and veterans services are level-funded. You might like to know that we have again proposed to repeal the sales tax exemption on candy and soda, and to dedicate that money (about $51.7 million) to public health programs.

12:04
[Comment From Guest: ]
Under the new MassDOT are State Police going to be patrolling the subways?

12:05
Governor Deval Patrick:
No. You may be referring to a proposal to merge the Transit Police with the State Police. We need to do a little more analysis before I can commit that.

12:05
[Comment From paul: ]
mr Patrick when are these much needed costruction & utility projects going to start to get our people working again

12:10
Governor Deval Patrick:
They're happening. For example, we leveraged federal recovery act money to be able to do $800 million in wastewater projects (instead of the original $400 million) and get 4,000 construction jobs going by this construction season. One truth about the federal stimulus money for construction is that most of that is for roads and bridges (horizontal construction), not buildings and schools (vertical construction). We have purposefully worked to focus on those road projects that enable buildings to be built, like the Assembly Square project in Somerville or Westwood Station in Westwood. They take a little more time, but create many more jobs and of many more varieties in the trades. Both those projects and many more will be fully underway this spring.

12:11
[Comment From concerned citizen: ]
I would like to know when the Sheet metal Liscence board will be replaced with a more fair panel, representing the little guy . Imposing union regulations on a trade where the vast majority in this state is non union will crush small operations and sole proprietors. I would like to know what is being done to insure that small hvac companies and Sole proprietor ships like myself will be grandfathered by fair regulations and not be put out of business.

12:12
Governor Deval Patrick:
Not sure. Not familiar with this issue. Call my office and we'll see if we can get you an answer. 617-725-4005.

12:12
[Comment From Kate: ]
How did you handle regional transportation reimbursement for school districts?

12:13
Governor Deval Patrick:
Held harmless. No increase, but no decrease either. Wish we could do more, but under the economic circumstances that's pretty good.

12:13
[Comment From Felix: ]
I'm worried about relying on federal stimulus funds to balance the budget - what happens when those funds go away?

12:15
Governor Deval Patrick:
Without the federal stimulus funds the cuts would be much deeper and more hurtful. That's why I worked so hard with the Congress and the then-new administration to get support for schools included in the bill. All it does is help us bridge to better times, We still have the responsibility to help people get back to work, help businesses (especially small ones) start growing again, and wringing every ounce of waste and duplication out of government so that we are as well positioned as possible not just for the end of stimulus funds, but for the return of economic growth.

12:15
[Comment From Taxpayer: ]
Where is my decrease in property tax?

12:19
Governor Deval Patrick:
Frustrating for me, too. Local officials tell us that, with limits on local aid from the state, the reason property taxes go up is because they have no other way to raise revenue or contain costs. So we provided tools through the Municipal Partnership Act to do that, including ways to contain municipal employee health care costs, and we have tried our best to hold local aid harmless. The budget I proposed today holds local aid level again and proposes even more tools to cut local costs. We just have to keep at it -- because I get what a burden it is on seniors, people on fixed income or out of work -- and local officials are going to have to work with us, too.

12:20
[Comment From Derek: ]
Hi governor- I was just wondering why you're cutting services instead of going after the state payroll and negotiating to lower the salaries and extravagant benefits of our big, unionized state workforce?

12:25
Governor Deval Patrick:
But Derek, we have done this. We have cut over 2,000 positions, imposed pay freezes and furloughs, increased health care contributions. We have negotiated the first union contract concessions ever. And we ended the abuses in the state pension system that made you and me and so many others mad and the average state worker (who gets about $26,000 annual pension after a career of public service) embarrassed.

May I respectfully add one other point: when a factory lays off 2,000 workers, we all say what a tragedy, and it is. When government lays off 2,000 workers, people say "good." In both cases, we are talking about people who have families to feed and house, and bills to pay. Overwhelmingly the people I meet in state government work really hard and bring a spirit of service to the work. So these decisions are not ones I take lightly.

12:26
[Comment From Felix: ]
Mr. Patrick, why did you cut funds to services for veterans and the homeless? They really need the help

12:28
Governor Deval Patrick:
We reduced those accounts in small amounts when we were dealing the further revenue shortfalls in last fall (2009), and restored the funding when revenues rebounded in a month or two. That's the nature of this crisis. The ground keeps shifting and we and all the service agencies are having to adjust as we go along.

12:29
[Comment From jj: ]
will the state be taking advantage of that AA rating to borrow more money this year? how does it compare to previous years?

12:33
Governor Deval Patrick:
We have maintained the high bond rating during this crisis by effective and proactive management. Not my characterization: that's what the rating agencies have said. It means we can afford the projects that put people to work rebuilding roads and bridges, expanding broadband, restoring public college campuses and public and affordable housing. etc. We are also able to go into the bond market and raise money for the college scholarship loan programs the state offers. We do not expect to do more borrowing beyond what we have planned for in the 5-year plan. But we will refinance a portion of the outstanding debt from previous years so that we are paying lower rates.

12:34
[Comment From notsohappy: ]
What are your short term plans to address the message voters sent recently by electing Scott Brown?

12:39
Governor Deval Patrick:
First of all, congrats again to Senator-elect Scott Brown. He ran a strong campaign and earned his election.

I think lost in a lot of the spin about his election last week was the affirmation once again of the power of the grassroots. I respect that. Civic engagement and involvement is always good for our democracy.

People are frustrated. They’re frustrated at the pace of change, in Washington and here. You may have heard from time to time, so am I! We need to pick up the pace on Beacon Hill -- especially in the area of job recovery and economic relief. Fortunately, we have not been standing still on these issues in Massachusetts, but we need to do more.

The last point I would make is this: party politics is in the decline. I am proud to be a Democrat, but I am not serving now as governor of the Democrats. I am governor of the Commonwealth. I serve in that spirit and will run for re-election in that spirit. I am hoping that Scott brings that spirit to his work, too, and think that he will.

12:39
[Comment From BostonSportsFan25: ]
Mr. Patrick, Thanks for taking time to answer questions. What are you the most proud of in the new budget? Please highlight specifics in spending cuts, tax breaks, help to small business, innovative ideas in running government etc

12:44
Governor Deval Patrick:
I am most proud of our support for public schools. Support for local aid is also important because a strong Commonwealth is impossible without strong cities and towns. There are some wonderful things happening in delivering services in new and better ways, and in collaborations with civic groups and companies to keep services in place. For example, the idea of centralizing energy purchases in one place to get the best deal and manage greater efficiencies throughout all the agencies is a long time coming, but right on time. Combining probation and parole departments in one place is smart, and the way most states manage these responsibilities. We are cutting spending on parks and recreational facilities, but a number of groups, volunteers and businesses are working with us to keep the facilities for the public open this coming season. There is a great spirit of cooperation out there.

By the way, if you or others have ideas about other ways to deliver services in smarter or cheaper ways, send them to me at www.mass.gov/governor/forums.

12:45
[Comment From parent: ]
Gov. Patrick, can you please explain the difference between a public school and a charter school. I am about to look for school for my daughter and I am unsure of the best route to take. Thank you.

12:49
Governor Deval Patrick:
Basically a district school is the traditional public school in your school district; while a charter school is a public school that operates under different and sometimes fewer rules, and sometimes is designed to emphasize certain special aspects of learning (like a school focused on math and science). There are strong and not-so-strong district schools and strong and not-so-strong charter schools. Shop around. The key seems to be highly motivated and supported teachers able to form real bonds with the students and their families.

Last week, we signed an important school reform bill that should make some of those distinctions a lot less significant, so that every school can have the chance to try new ways of lighting a fire under every kid.

12:49
[Comment From Megan: ]
The environmental agencies have taken quite a hit in your House 2 and over the last decade of disproportionate budget cuts. What is your plan for making sure that basic environmental (and not just energy) services are still provided, such as regulating polluting facilities, water protection, and timely permitting?

12:57
[Comment From Tim: ]
What are you doing to bring businesses to MA? It is tough for businesses to operate here, but it seems like a relatively simple solution to the jobs problem.

Editor's note: Due to technical difficulties with the chat software, Governor Patrick was unable to publish his response to the following question as well as his closing comment. Aides to the governor later e-mailed Boston.com with the governor's response and closing comment, which are printed below.

1:05
[Comment From ProudStateWorker: ]
Thank you for taking questions Governor Patrick. I was wondering if you could discuss your recent recommendations on pension reform. As a state worker, the perception is that we all have it easy and retire with fat pensions. For the majority of us, that is just not the case. A job in the public sector similar to the one I perform in the public sector would earn much more than I do, and also earn bonuses based on performance. I've never had a bonus, and I am not looking for one, but the bottom line is that the state worker is getting pinched at every turn - copays for health insurance, across the board cuts, etc. How much will be too much before we work hard and for nothing in the end?

Governor Deval Patrick:
I hear you. There is a mis-perception out there that state workers are highly paid for little work, when I know most work hard for modest pay and receive modest pensions (on average about $26,000 a year). We have asked a lot of you in the last 18 months, with furloughs, contract concessions, pay freezes, increases in health care co-pays, and having to watch your friends and colleagues laid off. But it is no more than I have asked of myself and my staff, and no more than working people all over the country are having to do. I appreciate the impact on you and your family. I also appreciate your service to the public. Please hang in there and help us all get through this. Better tomorrows are ahead.

Governor Deval Patrick:

Looks like we need to wrap up. I'm sorry I couldn't get to all of your questions. Please stay engaged.

My office has a robust presence online: in terms of the budget, you can leave your feedback at www.mass.gov/governor/forums.

We're also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/massgovernor, we have a YouTube channel where you can ask us questions via video at www.youtube.com/massgovernor, and we maintain a series of state blogs at www.mass.gov/blogs.

Of course you can always call, email or write our office. That information is at www.mass.gov/governor/contact.

Remember - this is your government, and it must stay accountable to you.

Thank you!