Patrick Interviewed About Obama, Stimulus Bill, HBOStaff reports
iBerkshires
10:58AM / Tuesday, February 24, 2009
 | | Mike Barnicle and Gov. Deval Patrick on MSNBC. |
Gov. Deval Patrick, in Washington for the National Governors Association winter meeting, told Joe Scarborough on Tuesday morning that Bay State residents and Americans in general are "hungry for candor."
Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on the White House lawn, the governor spoke on President Obama's stimulus bill, which will send some $2 billion to the state for roads, bridges and clean energy.
Patrick said the effect of stimulus spending on creating and maintaining jobs — especially public sector positions like public works, police and teachers — should not be "trivialized." Those job losses would be a drag on the state's economy, he said.
Americans are ready for the truth, said Patrick, from their political leaders.
"I think he's all about candor, leveling with people," said the governor about Obama, who will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. He expected the president to make a call for unity and to explain the need for sacrifice.
After commentator and Bostonian Mike Barnicle poked him on his proposed 19 cent gas tax, Patrick said the hike was necessary to prevent boosting toll fees, to cover needs in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and address infrastructure issues.
"We have been putting off these decisions for 16 years or more and bill is due now and we've got to start leveling with people what our choices are," he said.
The governor touched briefly on his appearance in the HBO documentary "The Black List: Volume 2," a follow-up to a previous special looking at prominent black Americans.
Patrick, the first black governor of Massachusetts, appears along with such luminaries as activist Angela Davis, singer Charley Pride and filmmakers Tyler Perry and Melvin Van Peebles. The documentary premieres Thursday at 8 p.m. on HBO East.
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