Backslapping Patrick pays call on House floor
BOSTON --The man who once ran against Beacon Hill now isn't afraid to be part of the club.
Gov. Deval Patrick made a rare visit to the House floor Thursday, where he was flooded with the standard legislative greeting of a backslap, handshake and "hey, how-are-ya?"
Patrick says he decided to spend about 20 minutes with lawmakers on their home turf because he's made a lot of progress on his legislative agenda this year. Tops on the list was approval of a 10-year, $1 billion life science bill.
The governor says there are still a few more items to notch off before the House and Senate adjourn for the year next Thursday.
He plans to host a picnic for legislators at his vacation home in the Berkshires next month. 