Patrick Elected VP for NE Governors Conference
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| Gov. Deval Patrick [file] |
Patrick also was selected to head the Coalition of Northeast Governors on energy issues over the weekend during that group's annual meeting.
As lead governor for the Northeast states on energy, Patrick will focus on energy and transportation issues relative to global climate change, for example fuel choices and public transportation can help manage the region's carbon footprint. Public transportation, such as commuter rail, helps encourage smart-growth development, which is another path to smart energy use.
"I look forward to helping shape our region's strategy on energy and global climate change, and ways to use those challenges to spur economic development," said Patrick.
The New England Governors Conference, an informal alliance since Colonial days, was formally established in 1937 by the six states to promote New England's economic development. In 1981, the conference incorporated as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation. The region's six governors serve as its board of directors.
The NEGC's framework permits the governors to work together to coordinate and to implement policies and programs that are designed to respond to regional issues. Maine Gov. John Baldacci was made chairman.
The Northeast Coalition, which includes states outside New England, named Vermont Gov. James Douglas as its chairman, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer as vice chairman, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine as transportation lead and New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch as lead for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Patrick will testify Tuesday before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in favor of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides critical and preventive care to children while aiming to keep skyrocketing health-care expenses in check.
On Monday, he meet with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt to discuss the renewal of Massachusetts’ Medicaid waiver. The waiver helps hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents receive life-saving, health-care services.
"Senator Kennedy, Secretary Leavitt and I had a very positive and productive meeting to discuss the importance of health reform, our successes so far, and the challenges ahead," said Patrick. "I thank the senator and the entire congressional delegation for their continued support of this grand experiment, and Secretary Leavitt for his strong partnership from the start."
Today's meeting was the first in what will be a series of meetings as the renewal process begins for the waiver. It currently expires on June 30.
"This was a constructive first meeting and good start on the process of renewing the Massachusetts waiver," said Kennedy. "Massachusetts has defied the odds and is leading the nation on providing good affordable health care for our citizens. I look forward to working with the governor and the Bush administration to continue our progress."
