Tim Murray, Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor

Closure on Finance Review

August 29, 2013 2:28 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

I am glad that this civil settlement brings to a close a process that I initiated in January of 2012 when I asked for an investigation by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance based upon reports that Michael McLaughlin was improperly soliciting funds for my committee.

I asked for the investigation because I have always sought to play by the rules and run my political committee within the letter and the spirit of the law. This review has been comprehensive and we have fully cooperated with the authorities every step of the way.

As I have said from the start, I never asked Michael McLaughlin to solicit funds for my committee, because I know that would have been wrong. The finding that Michael McLaughin violated the law by asking people to donate to my committee is not shocking today given what we now know about his character and his criminal actions. As a result of his criminal activity, many people have been hurt, most importantly many good people in Chelsea who simply sought dignified and affordable housing for themselves and their families. If I knew in 2006 what I know today about Mr. McLaughlin, I would have never had any association with him at all.

Nevertheless, Mr. McLaughlin's behavior does not change the fact that I am ultimately responsible for administrative oversights made by my committee. While neither I nor any member of my committee was aware that Mr. McLaughlin was making such solicitations, we should have been more vigilant in monitoring the situation.

This investigation also found inappropriate fundraising activity by a state highway department employee. Again, I should have been more vigilant.

I have certainly learned from these mistakes and I hope that other elected officials, candidates for office and their political committees can as well.

This civil settlement and purging of the funds is a welcomed conclusion and I look forward to continuing to work hard in my role as President of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, to help businesses and institutions grow, create jobs and improve the quality of life for people in Central Massachusetts and the Commonwealth at large.

Mourning Gov. Cellucci

June 8, 2013 7:17 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

Today we mourn the passing of a strong and compassionate leader of Massachusetts. Governor Paul Cellucci was at once a common man and an uncommon leader. He was hard to paint with an ideological brush, because he approached each issue with an open mind and sought fair solutions that helped advance our Commonwealth.

As a son of Central Massachusetts, Governor Cellucci always took special care to look out for the best interests of the entire Commonwealth, and for that everyone in this state should be thankful.

When Governor Cellucci was diagnosed with ALS, his uncommon strength shined through yet again. He became a public champion, raising awareness and funding for the research that may one day help others diagnosed with this terrible disease.

Today, Tammy and I offer our deepest sympathies to Governor Cellucci's wife Janet, their daughters Kate and Anne, and the entire Cellucci family. We hope his life's legacy will be a source of comfort to all who mourn his passing.

New Direction

May 23, 2013 7:56 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

Dear Friends,

This post represents both an ending and a beginning.

I wanted to tell you directly about my decision to accept a new opportunity that will allow me to continue striving for the economic and community development ideals I have worked for over the past 15 years in public service. This unique new opportunity, however, means I must end my service as Lieutenant Governor of this great state.

In January, I wrote about the decision I made with my wife not to run for public office in 2014. I said at that time the next chapter of my life needed to be focused primarily on family. My wife Tammy and I are blessed with two active and beautiful daughters, Helen and Kati, who recently turned 8 and 7 years old. We wanted to take advantage of this moment in our lives, since childhood passes quickly, and this is an important time for our family.

When I made that decision, I expected to finish my term as Lieutenant Governor, working closely with Governor Patrick on the priorities we have established to help Massachusetts. Of course, I did begin to think about what the future would bring when my state service was over, however I was not pursuing any employment opportunities. Then, I was approached by the leadership of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce with an intriguing idea.

The chamber's long-time capable President, Dick Kennedy, is retiring and the executive committee asked if I would be interested in leading the chamber, growing its mission and economic impact. This was not a post I had sought, and at first I dismissed the idea because the timing was too immediate. Then, as I gave the matter more thought and discussed it in depth with Tammy, I became increasingly interested about the unique opportunity it presents.

So much of what we have accomplished across the Commonwealth in the past six-plus years has been through public-private partnerships. I have always said that government can't, and shouldn't do it all, but through strategic public investments, directed by enlightened public and private leadership, we can foster the economic growth, job creation and community development that Massachusetts deserves. In my new role as President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, I will work for these same goals, on the private sector side of the equation.

The city of Worcester is the economic anchor of one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas of the country, not only Massachusetts. With nearly a million residents, 30,000 college students and a diversified economy, the greater Worcester region contributes enormously to the economic and cultural vitality of the Commonwealth and central New England. I look forward to helping the chamber, its membership, and the entire region build a brighter future.

This has been a very difficult, yet empowering decision. You and I have worked together in so many ways that have improved the quality of life in this Commonwealth. It has been an honor to serve as your Lieutenant Governor. At the same time, however, I know that change is the nature of life. And as I imagine how best to keep working on the issues that I am passionate about, while being close to home and more present in the lives of my wife and children, the chamber post is the perfect fit. So I intend to submit my resignation as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, effective at the end of the day on June 2, and will begin my new role as President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 3.

As I begin to close this chapter in my career, I especially want to thank my staff, past and present, who have worked alongside me to accomplish so many substantive economic policy and development initiatives across Massachusetts. The Bay State is a special place. I have loved learning about its history, its traditions, and meeting so many great people in every corner of this state while working on their behalf.

Most importantly I want to thank Governor Patrick. He has been a friend, mentor and partner. He has led the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through some of its most tumultuous moments in modern times. Whether it was dealing with the Great Recession, the many challenges thrown at us by Mother Nature or most recently the marathon bombing, the people of Massachusetts have a captain who is steady during the storm and is leading state through to better days.

Finally, to all my friends, I will be forever grateful for the support you have shown me over the years. I know that we will stay in touch and find ways to work together on important issues and initiatives for many years to come.

With my best regards,

Tim

Grief and Resolve

April 16, 2013 1:14 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

Dear Friends,

The sun rose over Boston Harbor today at 6:01. It illuminated a city that grieves but does not crumble. A Commonwealth that is at once stunned and committed to action. It cast a warm light on people from every corner of the globe who came to Massachusetts this week to be part of a glorious tradition and found themselves bound up in a moment of terror.

Whether or not the criminals who planted and detonated the bombs in Boston yesterday chose Patriots' Day for its symbolic impact is not the point. What maters is that today, as we reach out to those who suffer and pursue those responsible for this barbarous act, we draw our strength from what began in Massachusetts 238 years ago this week.

From the light that shined in the Old North Church, to the first stand of American volunteers on Lexington Green, Patriots' Day celebrates the moment of freedom's birth. It was a moment that changed the world.

History does not move in a straight and steady line. We do not overlook our faults, or the mistakes of our ancestors, or the fact that the birthright of freedom was denied for too many for too long, because none among us are perfect beings. But the ideal of freedom continues to march on. Every day good people do their part to perfect this union and to support those who still struggle for their inalienable rights. That's why our Commonwealth, our country, and those who live in freedom around the world share a bond that cannot be broken by malicious acts.

Today, please join with me and Governor Patrick as we offer our prayers, and our hands of help, to those who have been hurt by the events in Boston yesterday. We give thanks and praise for all who responded so heroically. And we remember that the sun rose over Boston Harbor today. It shimmered through the rigging of the USS Constitution as a beacon for all people who know that freedom will prevail.

Sincerely,

Tim Murray

Tale of a Tom Brady Jersey

February 28, 2013 9:20 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

Investments in education are critical to accelerating our economic growth and creating greater opportunities for future generations. Just like Tom Brady, we need to keep moving the ball down field to provide all students in Massachusetts the opportunity for a promising and successful future.

I recently related a personal story about my daughters, a Tom Brady jersey, and the importance of teachers in their lives. I hope you can take a moment to read it here:

From the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Feb. 28, 2013

Tale of a Tom Brady jersey

By Timothy P. Murray

My two daughters attend the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School in Worcester. Helen and Katerine are in second and first grade, respectively, and they love going to school. My wife and I have been extremely impressed with the dedicated staff and their high expectations for all of the children that attend Jacob Hiatt. As one of 33 elementary schools in the Worcester public schools system, Jacob Hiatt has an extended school day, and more than 70 percent of its students are raised in low-income households. Many of the children are first-generation Americans and come from homes where English is not the primary language.

Prior to the Super Bowl, the school had a dress-down day in lieu of wearing uniforms. Oftentimes, dress-down days have a theme and this particular day was focused on the upcoming Super Bowl and sports. Like all of her classmates, my daughter Helen was very excited about this dress-down day and repeatedly asked my wife to buy her a Tom Brady jersey.

As a father, Patriots fan and former high school and college quarterback (well, fourth-string QB for a Division III college football team), I was excited that my daughter was suddenly interested in football. In the past, I have attempted to explain the rules of the game to her and why we root for the Patriots. Their school is named after a man whose family now owns the Patriots, which I've told Helen and Katerine many times.

Nonetheless, they both prefer that I watch Disney's "Good Luck Charlie" or "Sponge Bob" instead of football. Needless to say, I was surprised but appreciative of Helen's sudden interest in wanting a Tom Brady jersey.

Though I hoped my previous attempts to teach Helen about football and the Patriots were effective, my wife quickly burst my bubble. As it turns out, Helen only wanted a Tom Brady jersey because he is her teacher's favorite player.

This revelation, while deflating to my football aspirations, again reinforced to me what a significant role teachers play in shaping our children's lives. Children, especially the younger ones like my daughters, look up to their teachers and want to meet their expectations in almost every way.

Beyond just football jerseys, day in and day out, Massachusetts educators work hard to excite and motivate young people to excel academically. Many different measures have Massachusetts students leading the nation as well as the world in academic achievement. However, achievement gaps and disparities still exist in schools across the state.

We need to keep moving the ball downfield to provide all students the opportunity for a promising and successful future. Gov. Deval Patrick and I are committed to working with the Legislature, educators and other partners to build a 21st-century public education system that meets the needs for every child to succeed in the classroom, the workplace and in life.

You have likely heard of the plan Mr. Patrick has laid out to accomplish this -- raise new revenue that will be directed to education, as well as transportation and innovation. We know these investments are critical to accelerating our economic growth and creating greater opportunities for future generations.

Specifically, the recent budget submitted by our administration includes:

•Funding for initiatives that will expand access to early education, a critical step to ensuring that all students are proficient in reading by the end of third grade.

•Increasing the number of schools that can extend their school days, an action we know helps to keep kids from dropping out of school.

•Funding to make higher education more affordable.

The governor and I know that asking people to pay more by any type of tax increase is never easy. However, when our children succeed academically, we strengthen our economy in both the short and long term as we build the workforce Massachusetts employers are clamoring for every day.

When this happens, Massachusetts wins, and that is worthy of a Tom Brady touchdown pass, which I think would make my daughter's second-grade teacher proud.

Plans for 2014

January 18, 2013 7:00 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

Dear Friends,

I am writing to inform you about my plans as they relate to the 2014 election cycle. As I have traveled the state over the past year, I have been asked with increased frequency about whether or not I intend to run for Governor in 2014. These questions and words of encouragement by friends and supporters have caused me to think extensively about my plans and the steps required to be fully prepared politically for the fall of 2014 in anticipation of both a primary and general election.

Having already run two successful statewide primary and general election campaigns, I am keenly aware of what will be required to run the type of campaign my supporters and the people of Massachusetts deserve. Accordingly, over the past several months I have increased my political and fundraising activities and have been heartened by the strong showing of support to date. This activity already adds to a busy schedule with more morning, evening and weekend events quickly filling almost every free moment.

Looking forward, I have given considerable thought on how I can sustain this pace for the next 20 months while working on my portfolio of issues as Lieutenant Governor. More importantly, I have been grappling with how I can juggle a campaign and work duties with my responsibilities as a husband and the father of two active and beautiful daughters, Helen and Kati, who are 7 and 6 years old.

I am fortunate to have an extremely patient wife, Tammy, who while working full time, handles the bulk of the parenting responsibilities. I am grateful to Tammy for taking on this responsibility and for supporting my career over the past 15 years.

Having just completed 15 years of service in elected office, I have always given it my all to make government work for people. Whether it is a business owner, a neighborhood group, a veteran, or children and people who often don't have a voice, I have tried to be there for them and be their voice. In that spirit we have completed projects that people said couldn't be done and have made government more responsive with a number of new and innovative policy initiatives at both the municipal and state levels. I have been proud to spend political capital to protect safety net programs for vulnerable people, such as the homeless or victims of domestic violence, in the budget throughout the challenges of the Great Recession.

Governor Patrick has also given me the chance to take the lead in creating a new paradigm of partnership between municipal and state governments that has led to new policy reforms such as the Municipal Partnership Act legislation and the regionalization initiative. This partnership, as well as our Gateway Cities agenda, has extended to economic development and transportation projects that are transforming our cities in every region of the state. And we also have brought diversity and talented new voices to state government.

I am proud of these things and others we have been able to accomplish together during the past 15 years whether I was serving as Lieutenant Governor, Mayor of Worcester, or as a member of the Worcester City Council. I have loved each job and the opportunity to listen and learn as well as to find ways to bring people together to get things done around policies and projects both large and small. Furthermore, I am proud of the fact that my unique victory in winning a statewide office as a mayor has provided a modern template which I hope other mayors will seek to follow.

However, as I contemplate the commitment required over the next 20 months (and the following four years as Governor) and weigh that against my obligations and responsibilities to my young family, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Governor in the 2014 election cycle. Nor will I be a candidate for any other statewide office in 2014.

This decision is not arrived at lightly and comes only after a great deal of reflection and numerous conversations with my wife, family and friends. I am thankful for the support and thoughtful words of encouragement I received from so many of you in the days and months leading up to my decision. I am proud of all we have been able to accomplish together.

My high school football coach always told our team to finish the game strong. I intend to work with Governor Patrick over the next 22 months to finish this second term strong and build on our record of generational responsibility. We will leave Massachusetts better than we found it and growing in a way that benefits all the people of the Commonwealth and the generations that will follow.

It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the Commonwealth. As I move forward, I will continue to find new ways to serve and contribute to our collective efforts to build a stronger Commonwealth and nation. I am excited and optimistic about my future, the future of the Commonwealth and all that we can accomplish in the next two years and beyond.

Sincerely,

Tim Murray

A 21st Century Transportation Plan

January 15, 2013 9:25 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

MassDOT recently released a comprehensive overview of the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure. Included in the report are reforms implemented by the Patrick-Murray Administration, cost savings, and future costs of the overall system. To read the report click here.

Cleaning up Brownfields

November 30, 2012 12:52 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

The Patrick-Murray Administration is working with your community to help clean up brownfields to support community and economic development. Brownfields are contaminated properties, and often challenging and complex to cleanup. We are coordinating assistance with agencies at the state, federal, and local level to make redevelopment of these sites a priority, and to do so strategically and safely. To read more click here.

Growing our Gateway Cities

November 16, 2012 1:51 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks | Permalink

In a recent report Worcester was named the most competitive metro area in New England. The investments that the Patrick-Murray Administration have made in our Gateway Cities are paying off. To read more click here.