BEIJING – Gov. Deval Patrick outlined his vision for a strong economic partnership between Massachusetts and China during remarks to local leaders, students and faculty at Tsinghua University on Monday.
Patrick joined 2006 Nobel laureate Dr. Craig Mello of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who delivered a lecture on "RNAi: From Mechanism Beyond," which explains the innovation and collaboration that led to the ability to silence a gene – a discovery offering promise to cure diseases such as diabetes or cancer.
"We have come to refresh and renew a 200-year-old relationship," said Patrick, according to a statement. "We seek to build new partnerships on old friendships. We want to learn how you are meeting the challenges you face for advances in education, healing and clean power. And we seek to share lessons we have learned and are still learning in each of these fields."
Gov. Patrick's Speech
"We not only need great scientists, but we also need great leaders and policies to create the right environment for scientific discovery that lead to new treatments for diseases we have yet to tackle," said Mello.
The Massachusetts-China Partnership delegation, comprised of leaders in the fields of life sciences, clean energy and higher education, also attended the event.
Massachusetts generated $1.3 billion in manufactured goods exports to China in 2006. China wants to shift its image as a country focused on low-wage manufacturing to one of sophisticated research, development and innovation. This dynamic will shape China's relationship to Massachusetts on this trade mission and in its continued relationship with the commonwealth.
According to the Patrick administration, the trade mission aims to strengthen innovation and collaboration around clean energy, life sciences, education and transportation. The visit will be the first in a series of steps Patrick expects to take to strengthen the Massachusetts-China relationship.
The agenda includes meetings in Beijing and Shanghai with Chinese companies and universities focused on China’s academic, research and development and commercial achievements.
Members of the delegation also include: Housing and Economic Development Secretary Dan O'Connell; Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen; Greg Watson, senior adviser for clean energy technology; Thomas J. Kinton Jr., Massachusetts Port Authority CEO; Mitchell Adams, executive director, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; Jack Wilson University of Massachusetts president; Victor Zue, co-director, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Anthony Saich, faculty chairman of Asia Programs, Harvard University; Josh Boger, chairman of Biotechnology Industry Organization and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals; and Thomas J. Sommer, president of the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council. Representatives from Massachusetts life science and clean energy companies – many with a presence in China – will also participate in portions of the trip.
As key partners in the commonwealth's mission agenda and the administration's overall economic development agenda, Massport and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative are funding the trip. The estimated cost of the trip is roughly $200,000.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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