Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Sunday, July 25, 2010It is safe to say that if Worcester voters alone decided the gubernatorial race in November -- and if Tim Murray was on the top of the ticket instead of Deval Patrick -- their re-election would be a cinch. This is not to suggest that the governor is a liability, only to illustrate the lieutenant governor's popularity in this neck of the woods.
Having followed Mr. Murray's political career since 1997, when the Telegram & Gazette endorsed him for city councilor, I see him as a formidable asset to any ticket. The newspaper described him, while he was still in his 20s, as a "bright, energetic, first-time candidate with considerable political savvy who advocates sound fiscal leadership." Two years later, in 1999, we recommended him again: "Timothy Murray, a member of the fine freshman class that emerged from the last election, has leadership written all over him." The T&G also supported him for mayor, a job that subsequently led to statewide office.
Having followed Mr. Murray's political career since 1997, when the Telegram & Gazette endorsed him for city councilor, I see him as a formidable asset to any ticket. The newspaper described him, while he was still in his 20s, as a "bright, energetic, first-time candidate with considerable political savvy who advocates sound fiscal leadership." Two years later, in 1999, we recommended him again: "Timothy Murray, a member of the fine freshman class that emerged from the last election, has leadership written all over him." The T&G also supported him for mayor, a job that subsequently led to statewide office.
I've been meeting with Tim Murray regularly to talk about local issues and politics for more than a decade, the last time during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, just hours before he embarked on a grueling schedule that landed him in the hospital. He savored the success of his agenda -- an apparent breakthrough in the long-delayed City Square development; a deal with CSX that is expected to double the number of commuter trains in and out of Worcester; and the long-overdue transfer of Worcester Regional Airport to the Massachusetts Port Authority.
Even though he has played a pivotal role in advancing those projects, there was no hint of ego-boosting or self-congratulation. He diverted much of the credit to his boss, Gov. Patrick, whom he has been serving with extraordinary loyalty. "He has shown the most accomplished legislative and managerial leadership we've seen in the governor's office in a long time," he said. "He is in charge, and I'm pleased to have a seat at the table." (The Patrick-Murray relationship is cemented in their close affiliation with U.S. Rep. James McGovern. The congressman from Worcester has been Mr. Murray's political mentor and was the first top Democrat in Massachusetts to support Mr. Patrick for governor.)
While crediting others is part of his political style, the lieutenant governor is not shy about trumpeting the administration's accomplishments. He spoke of the painful budget decisions, resulting in deep cuts they had to make in order to cope with economic recession. "It's like doing a household budget when you have to make ends meet," he said. "This will be a challenging year, but things are moving in the right direction. State revenues are above benchmark predictions, and the job rate has been growing. We added 15,800 jobs in May, following an 18,700 job increase in April, the largest gain in 17 years. The state's unemployment rate is below the national average." However, many of those new jobs were in the public sector, mostly due to the federal government's temporary hiring of census workers.
He pointed to surveys by the three major bond rating agencies and the good marks they gave Massachusetts: Moody's (Aa1), Standard & Poor's (AA) and Fitch Ratings (AA+). Among credit strengths, Moody's identified "effective management during economic downturns, with a willingness and ability to promptly identify and close gaps through use of both new revenues and spending reductions." Standard & Poor's cited "strong and conservative management practices." Fitch noted that "Massachusetts has a fundamentally strong and wealthy economy" that has "benefited from conservative budgeting and sound financial practices over time." It's worth noting, however, that Massachusetts' bond ratings are not unique; a majority of states have comparable or higher ratings.
While Mr. Murray is noted for his work on behalf of Worcester and Central Massachusetts, his responsibilities stretch across the state. His partnership with Mr. Patrick rivals that of Paul Cellucci's with Bill Weld. "The governor gives me the green light to make improvements," he noted. He heads numerous boards, commissions and key projects, ranging from regionalization of services among communities to the state's efforts to curtail homelessness. That effort is focused on maintaining shelters only for emergency transition until a family or individual has a permanent place to live. The formula helps phasing-out of the controversial PIP shelter in Worcester.
Asked to sum up briefly why he believes the Patrick-Murray administration deserves to be re-elected, he replied: "We have demonstrated leadership in the last four years, guiding the state through extremely difficult economic times. We've implemented reforms people have been talking about for 20 years -- reforms in transportation, education, municipal partnerships, crime prevention and public safety and more. We've balanced four budgets in a row under tough circumstances. As a result, Massachusetts is better off than other states."
Unknown factors and changing political currents -- often unrelated to local politics, merits and accomplishments -- can influence the outcome of an election. Concern about incumbency, the Democrats' monopoly on power, illegal immigration and the war in Afghanistan might be among those influences across the country in November.
Tim Murray, a prolific fundraiser and relentless campaigner, is not taking any chances. He's never lost an election, and is working hard to keep that record intact. "If you stay out there every day and make the case, you'll be successful," he said.
Robert Z. Nemeth's column appears regularly in the Sunday Telegram.
Even though he has played a pivotal role in advancing those projects, there was no hint of ego-boosting or self-congratulation. He diverted much of the credit to his boss, Gov. Patrick, whom he has been serving with extraordinary loyalty. "He has shown the most accomplished legislative and managerial leadership we've seen in the governor's office in a long time," he said. "He is in charge, and I'm pleased to have a seat at the table." (The Patrick-Murray relationship is cemented in their close affiliation with U.S. Rep. James McGovern. The congressman from Worcester has been Mr. Murray's political mentor and was the first top Democrat in Massachusetts to support Mr. Patrick for governor.)
While crediting others is part of his political style, the lieutenant governor is not shy about trumpeting the administration's accomplishments. He spoke of the painful budget decisions, resulting in deep cuts they had to make in order to cope with economic recession. "It's like doing a household budget when you have to make ends meet," he said. "This will be a challenging year, but things are moving in the right direction. State revenues are above benchmark predictions, and the job rate has been growing. We added 15,800 jobs in May, following an 18,700 job increase in April, the largest gain in 17 years. The state's unemployment rate is below the national average." However, many of those new jobs were in the public sector, mostly due to the federal government's temporary hiring of census workers.
He pointed to surveys by the three major bond rating agencies and the good marks they gave Massachusetts: Moody's (Aa1), Standard & Poor's (AA) and Fitch Ratings (AA+). Among credit strengths, Moody's identified "effective management during economic downturns, with a willingness and ability to promptly identify and close gaps through use of both new revenues and spending reductions." Standard & Poor's cited "strong and conservative management practices." Fitch noted that "Massachusetts has a fundamentally strong and wealthy economy" that has "benefited from conservative budgeting and sound financial practices over time." It's worth noting, however, that Massachusetts' bond ratings are not unique; a majority of states have comparable or higher ratings.
While Mr. Murray is noted for his work on behalf of Worcester and Central Massachusetts, his responsibilities stretch across the state. His partnership with Mr. Patrick rivals that of Paul Cellucci's with Bill Weld. "The governor gives me the green light to make improvements," he noted. He heads numerous boards, commissions and key projects, ranging from regionalization of services among communities to the state's efforts to curtail homelessness. That effort is focused on maintaining shelters only for emergency transition until a family or individual has a permanent place to live. The formula helps phasing-out of the controversial PIP shelter in Worcester.
Asked to sum up briefly why he believes the Patrick-Murray administration deserves to be re-elected, he replied: "We have demonstrated leadership in the last four years, guiding the state through extremely difficult economic times. We've implemented reforms people have been talking about for 20 years -- reforms in transportation, education, municipal partnerships, crime prevention and public safety and more. We've balanced four budgets in a row under tough circumstances. As a result, Massachusetts is better off than other states."
Unknown factors and changing political currents -- often unrelated to local politics, merits and accomplishments -- can influence the outcome of an election. Concern about incumbency, the Democrats' monopoly on power, illegal immigration and the war in Afghanistan might be among those influences across the country in November.
Tim Murray, a prolific fundraiser and relentless campaigner, is not taking any chances. He's never lost an election, and is working hard to keep that record intact. "If you stay out there every day and make the case, you'll be successful," he said.
Robert Z. Nemeth's column appears regularly in the Sunday Telegram.
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