Governor's State of the State Address

[0:00]" Our youngest daughter graduated from high school this past spring. And when I sat at her graduation swollen with pride like every other pet. I couldn't help but reflect on the difference between her journey. To that milestone and my own to a similar milestone more than thirty years before. You know my story. I grew up in poverty on the Southside of Chicago I want to broken and overcrowded schools. I can't think of a time when I didn't enjoy reading but I don't ever remember actually owning a book. I got my own bid for the first time in my life when I came east on a scholarship to a boarding school in 1970. In dad and so many other ways coming to Massachusetts was like landing on a different planet. Now Catherine by contrast has always had her own room. By the time she got the high school she had already traveled on three continents. She knew how to pronounce and you lose the calls years. And she had shaken hands in the White House with the president of the United States. Diane and I talked easily and comfortably with our kids about college when the time came. And organized visits for them to campuses all over the country. When I called home 35 years ago to tell my family I was admitted to Harvard my grandmother asked where is that anyway. One generation. One generation and the circumstances in my life and family -- profoundly transformed. That story is unlike. Is not unlike many of viewers in this room or elsewhere in this commonwealth. And though that story is not told often enough skill. It is told more often in this country than any other place on earth that east the American story."

[2:11]" That story was made possible by a good education great opportunities to work and develop our skills. And adults who involve themselves in our lives in key moments in ways. That is our agenda. Schools jobs and civic engagement that's what will make the American story really game in this commonwealth. So in 2007 we started to connect those last aspirations to actions and our actions to people. We are off to a very strong start Massachusetts is on the move."

[2:54]" Back here. We increased support for local schools -- the highest amount in history. Because we also invested in pre K all day kindergarten and longer school days over 43000 children. Got a lifetime benefit of a strong academic star. And 9000 students had more time with teachers for both -- studies and enrichment programs. We added millions for science technology engineering and Matt France as well. To start giving our kids the skills they need to excel in tomorrow's global economy and our students are responding. Last year Massachusetts students took top scores in all four categories measured on the national assessment of educational progress the so called national report car. My friends Massachusetts is on the move."

[6:08]" We distributed over fifty million dollars to support law enforcement and crime prevention. And nearly doubled funding for new police officers on the street. We introduce managed competition so -- good drivers whether in long -- a Roxbury will see -- more than 10% drop. In their auto insurance rates and far more choices. From Bergen our way in Quincy and -- twelve and blister to the great river bridge in Westfield. Long awaited repair and public works projects are finally under way. Massachusetts is on the move."

[6:51]" Last June. We join together to keep discrimination out of our constitution. And leave consenting adults free to marry whom they -- the state of our commonwealth is strong. And the evidence of that strength is -- My goodness even the Red Sox and Celtics and the patriots are on fire."

[7:34]" All of these accomplishments and and others for all that we have done together. I thank the lieutenant governor Aaron the other constitutional colleagues senate president Murray speaker -- easy and all of the members of the legislature. The mayors and other local officials the community leaders and everyday citizens who have involve themselves in unprecedented numbers. And and most especially. My exceptional team. Because of you all of you working to yet whether in schools jobs or civic engagement Massachusetts is on the move."

[8:21]" But there is much much more to do. Because the state of our commonwealth is far better for some than for others. Parents in many communities still face the painful choice of passing overrides or losing school programs. High dropout rates and achievement gaps persist. There are 125000 people looking for work in Massachusetts and 90000 vacancies. Jobs that go unfilled because the people who need to work don't have the skills to do. Small business owners are worried about making the payroll making a -- it because the cost of insurance to taxes spaces -- Too much talent and too many bright futures were lost last year to gun in gang violence. Too many young families and seniors are still being pushed out of their homes by escalating property taxes or by extreme adjustments in mortgage rates. Parents and cities find it hard to dream about college for the -- And parents and suburbs have nightmares about how to pay for college for the years. The poor are in terrible shape. And the middle class are one month away from being poor and deeply anxious that I understand that. And overshadowing all of this is widespread unease about the national economy. Because credit and housing markets are especially fragile right now. But now has not -- time for us to lose our focus or our nerve. Government cannot solve every problem in everybody's life. But government as an expression of the common interest and the common good has a role to play in helping people help themselves."

[10:10]" And I believe. Then an agenda based on schools jobs and civic engagement. Is not only the way through today's economic uncertainty but the way to write tomorrow's chapter in the American story. So I asked you to join with me in partnership to accelerate that agenda in 2008. Let's star with the education and investing strategies that we know work. The budget we submitted yesterday commits a record 223 million dollars more to support public schools. We also propose significant. We also propose significant increases in early education grants all day kindergarten programs and extended learning time. Let's hear it. The 275000 students and faculty in act in our public colleges and universities the quality -- lecture halls and dormitories they deserve. Support these budget initiatives pass the higher yet. Bond bill and let's make the American story their story to."

[11:34]" On the job front. Let's both advance human healing NN another 250000 jobs over the next decade. Bypassing the life sciences bill next month. Let's start promoting efficiency renewable cheaper electricity in new jobs and hot new growth sector bypassing the energy bill. Let's connect."

[12:09]" Connect the whole state to the world of ideas and commerce. And jumpstart the economy is in western and central Massachusetts. Bypassing the broad band bill it."

[12:27]" And with over 20000 good permanent jobs. 30000 construction jobs. 82 billion dollar boost to our tourism industry. Property tax relief for a million households and a steady reliable stream of revenue for cities towns and the state. Right within our grasp. Let's work together to pass the resort casinos build. More working."

[13:10]" For working people at every that we can make the American story of their story too. Last year this legislature created a commission to recommend a practical strategy to end homelessness. The commission has delivered. And my budget funds their recommendations in full. Join us and let's set ourselves on a course to end homelessness in Massachusetts. Once and -- wrong."

[13:49]" That's being both tough and smart on crime. Topped by limiting illegal access to guns in keeping high red gun offenders off the streets. Smart by supervising and supporting the 97% of the inmates who eventually return to society. And by using chlorine information wisely instead of haphazardly let's work together to pass an effective anti crime package. -- and finally. Let's give our cities and towns the tools they need to keep property taxes down and provide the services are neighbors want. Bypassing the municipal partnership act in."

[14:45]" Our community service and at the American story to. -- issue. We can afford every single proposal we have made. Between the savings and spending limits we have imposed. The revenue from closing if you can't gaps in our tax code. A responsible portion of casino licensing fees and some restraint in the use of earmarks. We can afford the high impact investments we have outline. As well as a 13% cut in the corporate tax rate and property tax relief for nearly half a million households. Evenly these investments. Our budget holds total spending growth to three point 5% in line with the growth and consensus consensus revenues. Our economic futures linked of course to national and international economic trends and events. In order to assure that we had the benefit of the best economic perspectives. I'm announcing tonight the formation of the nonpartisan governors' Council of Economic Advisers. To be chaired by former president and CEO of the federal reserve bank of Boston caffeine -- hand. And consisting of prominent economists and other leaders from local national and international commerce. They will help us assure that the American story thrives in Massachusetts."

[16:25]" But in best we mosques. To keep Massachusetts move forward. That's the most effective hands against economic stand stagnation with fears of recession looming. How can any of us sit idly by and failed to act. And with the future of the American story at stake how can."

[16:48]" Any of us refused to sacrifice. For a year now I have attended the funerals of Massachusetts servicemen and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. He education is profoundly -- and most of the time the young soldier sailor or marine he's young. In some cases there is a girlfriend. Or young wouldn't widow. On one or two of those occasions with the baby the fallen soldier has never even hills. You cannot escape the youth."

[17:25]" The disbelief of childhood buddies that their friend could be gone so soon. The avert tragedy -- parents having to bury a child just injuring his or her prime."

[17:37]" Still there is a remarkable lack of bitterness among the family's only loss and grief. And an understanding unspoken that service and sacrifice is sometimes necessary. We cannot ask these exceptional young people. To give what Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion. To strengthen our community and secure the American future for ourselves. And then balked at making a far less profound sacrifice ourselves to achieve the same ends. I know that the willingness to serve and sacrifice is out there. I see it in the new leadership of commonwealth corps initiative to enlist abroad army of citizens young olden in between. Offering to give affected communities. I see -- in the ready lips. The nearly 1000 grassroots organizers committed to advancing the readiness project our next chapter in education reform. I see it in the willingness of private funders to support crime prevention in urban hotspots. And in the young people were helping me form a statewide youth council so that their voices can be heard in developing policies that affect their lives. Everyone must do his or her part. Because everyone has a stake. We must do our part as elected officials by managing government responsibly. That includes being willing to curb spending. In other areas. Last year I cut some 500 million dollars from state spending and held spending increases to the lowest level in three years. This year my budget offers another 475 million dollars in cuts. And later this year through a concept we call mass trans. I will ask for your support and streamlining our transportation bureaucracy which will -- further significant savings. State employees whose public service I honor and appreciate must help. By sharing a greater burden of their health insurance benefits large multistate companies to create opportunity for so many."

[19:57]" Must help by learning to live in Massachusetts by the same tax rules they live -- everywhere else. Even the telephone company must help by paying its fair share of local property."

[20:23]" And -- you consider our proposals. And how to advance and support this agenda of schools jobs and civic engagement consider also. The cost of inaction."

[20:36]" A poor child in high quality early -- is 40% less likely to need special Ed. Or to be held back victory. 30% more likely to graduate from high school and twice as likely to go to college. The cost of inaction is too high. Just as every new life sciences creates three to four others in related fields. Every lost life sciences job cost us in similar measure the cost of in action. Is too high. When high tech and clean energy firms leave or gaming firms -- this Mark. Because we're unwilling to play to our strengths and address barriers to growth. They take thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment with them. The cost of inaction. Is too high. Failure to support cities and towns has led to both cuts in services and sites in local property taxes. When communities declined our economy declines the cost of inaction. Is too high. Failure to maintain our roads rail and bridge. Has left us with a fifteen to twenty billion dollar tab over the next twenties the cost of inaction. Is too high."

[22:01]" The people don't expect us to agree on everything."

[22:05]" But they do expect us to engage. They expect -- to work together toward the best solution they expect action and they deserve it I admit. That I am an impatient man. I -- People say it's because I'm from the business world where things tend to move more quickly once the courses it. Others say it's because I am a newcomer to Beacon Hill. Actually my impatience has nothing to do with -- It has to do with the fact that for every one of us from the Southside of Chicago Worcester. Or from the north end of Boston mister speaker from Plymouth madam president. -- from -- and south. Or Springfield and Holyoke in New Bedford of -- dinner table for every one of us. Who has had the blessing of living the American story that one generation transformation. Countless others still wait for their change my impatience come. From knowing and other eager and -- capable idealistic young boys and girls just like you and me. In places left behind where you and I come from. My impatience comes from knowing up close the costs of --"

[23:50]" I went out to visit the Holland school in Dorchester last spring. A few weeks before a young woman who was visiting her family from out of town was shot and killed. And a couple of weeks after that an eleven year old boy found a 44 caliber pistol in the neighborhood. And brought it into the classroom in the neighborhood was understandably in an uproar. And so we called. A meeting of adults -- that mayor Menino and I could. Listen to some of their ideas about ways we can help and shares some of our own. The meeting convened at the end of the school day as the kids were leaving the building heading off to their buses -- the walk home. And I had admitted it to alone in the principal's office to look at my notes and collect my thoughts and you know how you sometimes realize you're being watched. And I looked up in the -- outside the window. -- a dozen or more little black boys and girls at this us backpacks on be leaving all excited."

[24:55]" When I'm looked into their eyes. The excitement I see is not for the history we made last year but for the history they have yet to me. Not my chance that they years and I see that look. That look of anticipation and hope in the eyes of kids all over this commonwealth. There is a whole general ready should watch and waiting. Some tonight perhaps. To see whether we are going to see our stake in -- future and act like."

[25:36]" And I -- that lip and looked -- us do you and to me. And let us affirm their hope for tomorrow. In the actions we take today it. Hey --"