On Wednesday, January 25, Governor Patrick and I released our administration's proposed state budget for the coming fiscal year. I'm writing to share some of the highlights and provide you with a link to more comprehensive information about the budget for your review.

As we have done each year, the governor and I asked our team to craft a balanced budget that reflects the values and priorities of our administration and speaks to the well being of the entire Commonwealth. The budget recognizes the reality that the Massachusetts economy is growing, but hasn't yet fully recovered from the Great Recession.

We have reached a consensus tax revenue estimate for Fiscal Year 2013 that is in the mid range of the experts' projections, and still shows a 4.5 percent increase over this year. That's good news, and part of an encouraging trend, but it doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet. Our projected revenue growth does not cover significant cost increases for healthcare, vital safety-net programs, and other fixed costs across state government.

Given the realities of our fiscal situation, the budget is challenging and we have had to make some tough decisions and cuts in worthy programs. The budget does, however, maintain or modestly increase funding for a range of vital needs. Through this budget, we also continue our ongoing efforts to make government more efficient.

First, our support for cities and towns in this budget is strong.  We propose $5.2 billion in local aid to cities and towns, including $4.1 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, which is a $145 million increase over this year's budget. This represents the highest level of state funding for K-12 education in our history. Our plan has every school district in Massachusetts funded at the foundation level.

Furthermore, our budget increases funding to expand school programs in the areas of Science Technology Engineering and Math, the so-called STEM fields, which are important for our children's future and the economic vitality of the Commonwealth.

Our budget increases support for veterans, through a range of programs and local services.  Massachusetts has historically been a national leader in veterans' services, and we will continue to do so because we understand that the sacrifices of our veterans and their families are what keep us free. Also, with the aging of our World War II, Korean and Vietnam era veterans, and the needs of the new generation of veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must make sure that we have the right programs in place to address our veterans' needs, and that all have access to the services they have earned.

There are many other important elements of our plan, which are aligned with our overall goals of helping Massachusetts grow and prosper, while maintaining important social safety-net programs for those who need our help. Our entire budget plan is on-line (click here) and I encourage you to explore it and offer your feedback.

Sincerely,

Tim Murray

 

Dear Friends,

 

I want to thank all of you who have expressed your concern and support for me, my wife Tammy and our family, since my serious car accident in November. I am forever grateful that I was uninjured and that no one else was involved or hurt. I have accepted responsibility for the accident and I will pay the fines and reimburse the Commonwealth for the value of the car.

Sincerely,

Tim Murray

 

 

TRANSCRIPT: Tim Murray Press Conference

Massachusetts State House, Tuesday, January 03, 2012 - 2:30pm

 

Q 1: At 108 mph that is really almost reckless driving or driving to endanger.  Don't you think you should be cited for that criminally?

A: The speed is frightening to me.  As I said, this happened within seconds and I believe, as I said, I fell asleep.   As I said from the outset, I will let the State Police do their job and make their findings.

 

Q 2: With all due respect, it seems like your original version of what happened is now falling apart.

A: Well Mike, this accident happened within seconds and I have never been in an accident like that.  I stood before many of you that morning a few hours after what I think is pretty traumatic accident and answered the questions as best as I could and I accept the State Police findings and will take responsibility for those

 

Q 3: You said you weren't speeding and also that you were wearing a seat belt.

A: As I said, I wasn't totally sure of my speed.  I did say I was wearing my seatbelt.  My recollection is I was wearing my seatbelt, after I walked away from my accident I certainly thought I was wearing my seatbelt, but again, I am going to accept responsibility.

 

Q 4: Can the voters trust you anymore after the circumstances of the crash and now this?

A: Well I've been in elected office for 14 years and I think I have had a track record of making good decisions and sometimes tough decisions.  Certainly people may have their questions.  All I can say is, this is what happened.  I am thankful to be alive.

 

Q 5: Has the data from the breathalyzer test that you said you took at the scene of the accident been made public yet?

A: You will have to ask the State Police. 

 

Q 6: To the best of your recollection has it been made public and if it hasn't, would you like to ask them to make it release that?

A: I don't know if they have released that or if you have asked for it, but I have no problem with that.  Again, I want to be respectful of whatever their policies or protocols are.

 

Q 7: You did not take the breathalyzer at the Barracks or at the Hospital, is that correct?

A: I requested a breathalyzer at the scene, yes.

 

Q 8: But you didn't go to the Barracks to get the test that would go directly in the case (inaudible)?

A: No, I asked for a breathalyzer at the scene.

 

Q 9: Why did you say black ice and do you have no recollection of nodding off?

A: I don't.  This happened very quickly.  I think the data says a matter of seconds.  My recollection is that after the car stopped rolling I realized I was okay.  I got out of the car, it was snowy conditions, I walked up to the side of the road, there were icy conditions there and as first responders came to the scene they commented on the black ice and warned each other of the slippery conditions, so I assumed that is what caused my accident.

 

Q 10: Did you receive special preferential treatment in the handling of this case that anyone else in the Commonwealth would not have been treated in the same way?

A: No, throughout this I have asked for no special treatment.  I proactively asked for a breathalyzer.  Later, I said I am going to let the State Police handle this.  When there was a question if this was a public record made by the Secretary of State I asked them to deviate from their normal policies and procedures (and release the information).  They ordinarily only access this information when there is a fatality or serious injury, which did not happen here.  So I proactively asked for it after the Secretary of State made the preliminary ruling and that information is with you.

 

Q 11: Is this why you didn't push to have the data released right away?

A: No it isn't.  I didn't want to ask the State Police to deviate from a policy that they have had in place for a long period of time.  When the question came up about this being a public record I asked that it be released.

 

Q 12: Are there any cell phone records or email records from the date of the accident?

A: I know that there is a request in with the Chief Legal Counsel and I will let him handle that request but I can tell you I was not on the phone, I was not texting and I was not emailing anybody.

 

Q 13: (Inaudible - something about storm damage being difficult to see)

A: Listen, you know I had headlights.  Being from Western Mass, you understand the magnitude of the Nor'easter that hit the state.  You could certainly see limbs down, you could get a sense of the power situation and I guess it was a bad habit of a former mayor going out and taking a look at things.

 

Q 14: Anything else you would like to get off your chest about the crash?

A: I feel badly that this has happened.  It has been a distraction to the work that I do and hopefully we can put this to rest and move forward.

 

Q 15: You said you weren't texting or emailing, but when the crash first happened you made statements about things that you believed to be the case.  Why make these statements when you just said that you weren't sure what happened?

A: I can tell you I was not on the phone, I was not emailing, I was not texting.  I know that.  I can tell you that.  It is not something I ordinarily do in the car while driving and you'll have to take my word for it.

 

Q 16: Were you really particularly tired when you got behind the wheel that morning and was that a smart decision?

A: In hindsight, it wasn't.  But I woke up at some point, for those of you that have kids I have a 5-year-old daughter that at some point crawled into bed.  I woke up, couldn't get back to sleep, tried to, then got up and went out.

 

Q 17: But were you feeling tired when you got behind the wheel?

A: I can't remember specifically.

 

Q 18: On the issue of falling asleep, we talked to an expert who says accelerating is actually not consistent with falling asleep, so I'm just wondering from your perspective, do you remember falling asleep? What do you remember?

A: As I said, this happened in seconds and as I said I think this is what happened and I am going to take responsibility for it.

 

Q 19: But do you think that is what happened because the State Police suggested that as a possibility or do you actually believe that is what happened?

A: I believe that is what happened, it's the only explanation.

 

Q 20: And what do you say about going 108 and not wearing a seatbelt to the citizens of the Commonwealth?

A: As I said, this was an accident, it happened within seconds.  I think if you look at the data, the rate of speed for the route that I traveled show that for the majority of that route I was going a reasonable speed.  This was an unfortunate accident.

 

Q 21: Do you normally wear your seatbelt?

A: I normally do and walking away from that accident I assumed that I did.

 

Q 22: Do you recall if you put on a seatbelt when you got in the car?

A: I believed that I did.

 

Q 23: Had you been drinking at all, bringing up the breathalyzer question but without the release of that, had you been drinking at all?

A: I had nothing to drink.  I took the breathalyzer expecting this question and I assure you that I had nothing to drink.

 

Q 24: Can you tell us what you were doing the night before and how much sleep you got?

A: I just explained to you, I was home at 8:30, I said I went to bed a few hours after the kids went to bed and woke up at some point.

 

--end of press conference--

Tim Murray recently sent this email to friends and supporters. Based on the response, it is shared here more widely.    


Dear Friends,
 
As you may have seen recently on TV and read in the papers, former Governor Paul Cellucci has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
 
ALS is a devastating disease. There is no cure--at least not today. But hope for a breakthrough treatment is growing, and Gov. Cellucci is stepping forward to support the world-leading ALS research happening right here in Massachusetts.
 
I was serving on the Worcester City Council when Paul Cellucci became governor.  We got to know each other through city affairs, and developed a professional friendship. I appreciated his focus on Central Massachusetts, and we shared the connection that people often do when they are from the same general area. Over time, however, as much as I valued Gov. Cellucci's interest in helping the Worcester area, I came to realize he wasn't just favoring Central Massachusetts. He was working hard to serve all the people, in all corners of our Commonwealth.
 
Now, he is facing this disease with grace, strength and the sense of public purpose that has always defined Paul Cellucci's character by becoming a public advocate for research in hopes of helping all people who are hit with ALS.
 
He's launched an ambitious project to support the work of Dr. Robert Brown, chair of the Department of Neurology at UMass Medical School, an internationally known researcher and physician who is among the world's foremost authorities on ALS and similar neurodegenerative diseases.  Dr. Brown and the team at UMass have made important breakthroughs in understanding the processes of ALS, and they are hopeful more advances are on the horizon that would, some day, significantly help those afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease.
 
No one would have blamed Gov. Cellucci if he had retired from public view, and focused on his health and his family. But that's not what Paul Cellucci is all about. He's a fighter for the common good, and we can help him. UMass Medical School has launched a special website, www.umassals.com that I would urge you to see.  On the site you can learn about ALS, the important research ongoing at UMass, and hear directly from Gov. Cellucci, Dr. Brown and others about how you can get involved in the fight against ALS.
 
 
Thank you,
 

Tim Murray

 

Having witnessed the devastation from the tornadoes first-hand, and talked with so many people in Central and Western Massachusetts who have lost so much, I encourage everyone who was fortunate to be spared from the storms' wrath to make a donation to the Red Cross, which is working in the affected communities helping to feed, shelter, cloth and support the victims.

You can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999.  Or you can donate online at www.redcross.org or by calling the American Red Cross of Central and Western Massachusetts at 508-595-3700. 

On May 6, 2011 Tim Murray sent the following note to his friends and supporters with a story that he wanted to share for the Mother's Day weekend:  

Dear Friends,  

As you know, from time to time I write to you to discuss various issues or policies we're dealing with at the State House, and to seek your input and advice. This note, however, is something different. With Mother's Day approaching, I wanted to share with you a story about two women whom I recently had the honor of getting to know.  

It all started last year, when I received a very moving email from a friend's mother. She wanted to know if I was related to a Tim Murray who had died at the age of three in 1958, and whom she had been told was from Worcester.  What followed from that email is a story of a mother's love, a nurse's dedication, and an emotional bond that formed in a fleeting moment of sadness and tragedy, and has lasted for more than 50 years.

In her email, this woman explained to me that in 1958 she was a 19-year-old nursing student at Boston College who was assigned for a month to Boston Children's Hospital on the Jimmy Fund floor for children with cancer. Soon thereafter, young Timmy was admitted to that floor. She fell in love with him, and he responded to her right way.

She would spend as much time with Timmy as she could, given her other duties, and would come to the hospital for extended visits on her days off. She broke hospital protocol and allowed Timmy to call her by her first name, Josephine or "Jo" for short, instead of Nurse Ryan. Timmy couldn't pronounce it exactly right, but would excitedly jump up in his crib/bed and shout "Doe, Doe, Doe" every time he would see her.

Unfortunately, in just 17 days, Timmy succumbed to his cancer. Jo Ryan was at his side, along with Timmy's mother, when he drew his last breath.  Jo was devastated, as was Timmy's family. Yet dealing with death is part of a nurse's education--especially those who care for the terminally ill. Jo understood that, and she continued on in her training, but she never completely let go of Timmy.

More than 50 years passed. Nurse Ryan became Mrs. Josephine Sears. She raised six children who brought her and her husband 16 grandchildren. Yet through the years, she would often find herself thinking of Timmy and wondering how his mother had dealt with the loss.

That tugging of emotion prompted her to email me and ask if I could help find out something about Timmy's family. I wrote back and started an extended conversation with Josephine.  I wasn't related to young Timmy Murray, so I reached out to Worcester City Clerk David Rushford to see if he could track down a birth or death certificate to give us a lead, but there was nothing on file.

This April, I had the chance to meet Josephine in person near her home in Springfield.  Listening to her,  and watching her body language as she talked about the experience she'd had, it was clear to me she was still very much affected by Timmy's death and was genuinely concerned about how his family grappled with what is a parent's worst nightmare-- the death of a child. I thought to myself, this was a woman who epitomized her profession and demonstrated a level of empathy that is too uncommon in today's society.

That evening, driving back home to Worcester, I found myself thinking of my conversation with Josephine and whether there was any more I could do to help bring her some answers and  a measure of closure to a traumatic experience.

Over the next few days, with the help of Boston City Councilor Maureen Feeney, I learned that little Tim Murray was from Fitchburg and I got his parents names.  Digging deeper in Fitchburg, with the help of state Rep. Steve DiNatale, I learned that his mother was still alive.

I got Mrs. Murray's phone number, and with some trepidation I called her, introduced myself, and told her why I was reaching out. To my relief, Mrs. Murray was happy to speak with me. In an incredibly warm and loving way, she also shared with me some stories about her young son that brought him vividly to life. Like how he couldn't say the word "elevator" but would pronounce it "alligator" and would often run down the hall and wait at the "alligator door" for his mother to come back to the hospital.

She said Timmy had been a good and happy boy, even through his illness. Looking back, she took some small measure of solace knowing that her son didn't suffer too long. She related the tragic memory of the day he died, and she remembered the nurse at her side, but she didn't remember her name.  I asked Mrs. Murray if I could arrange for her to speak with that nurse, and she said yes.

They spoke for nearly an hour by phone. They shared stories of Timmy, and of each other's lives and families. They had a lot in common. Mrs. Murray had three other children (one who was only 11 months when Timmy died) and now has six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. They'd both made their way in this world, and Mrs. Murray was touched that Josephine had so often thought of Timmy--about the joy he expressed in his brief life, and the hurt of his young death. Josephine was equally touched by Mrs. Murray's gratitude.

Over half a century has passed since these women first met, and their feelings of loss for the young boy they both loved still endure.  Yet these two special mothers also teach us, through the example of their lives, that the qualities of empathy, compassion and love also endure.

Sometimes we question what, if any, positive impact we have in our relationships and our careers. Did we touch anyone in a meaningful way? Did we make a difference in someone's life? If we did, will anyone care or remember? I think this story of a boy who died too young, his mother and a 19-year-old nursing student, helps answer these questions for all of us.

I hope this Mother's Day will be a day of remembrance and gratitude, for my family and yours.

Sincerely,

Tim Murray

With many vocational/technical high schools excelling in Massachusetts, Tim Murray is focused on expanding access to these programs, so more students can benefit.

A new model for state leadership designed to promote and enhance vocational/technical education was recently announced.


Read More
 

Friends,

Election Night was amazing. I am so proud of the commitment that each and every one of our friends, supporters and volunteers made to this campaign.

You believed that Massachusetts is, as the governor says, on the mend and on the move, and I am so humbled by your support.

Over the last four years, we have focused on governing the entire state, and I think that last night's results reflect our commitment to every region in Massachusetts.

As we move ahead, I know there will be some ups and downs, but one thing will never change. I can promise you that Governor Patrick and I will always seek to serve the whole Commonwealth, and that we will work hard, every day, to keep Massachusetts moving forward so that we leave this great state in an even better position for our children and our grandchildren.

The campaign is over, but our work continues, and in that effort, I want to thank you all for your continued support, advice and commitment to our Commonwealth.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Boston - October 29, 2010 - Heading into the final weekend before Election Day, the Patrick-Murray campaign today announced a new roster of endorsements from regional newspapers statewide.

Pointing to the Patrick-Murray administration's strong record on issues that matter to people - from their successful management of the budget during the global economic crisis to landmark reforms of state government to historic investments in education, health care and job creation - the newspapers argue that Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Murray are building a better, stronger Commonwealth and deserve a second term.

Tim Murray launched a new TV ad focusing on the many new jobs and projects created by the Patrick-Murray team that are benefiting people throughout Worcester County.
 
The ad, titled: "People" begins airing this week on TV in Central Massachusetts, and features people from Worcester County who support the Patrick-Murray investments in the region.
 


The ad also highlights the Patrick-Murray team's investments in Worcester County that have led to new jobs in the biotech and construction fields, as well as important investments in education and expanded commuter rail options. 

Tim Murray squared off with the three other candidates for lieutenant governor in recent forums held at Suffolk Law School and Curry College. During the forums Tim outlined the clear choices that voters face in this election on topics ranging from jobs to health care.

9/28 - South Shore Chamber forum at Curry College:

• WCVB Ch. 5: Lt. Gov. candidates spar on taxes, health care
• Worcester Telegram: Debate focuses on jobs
• Patriot Ledger: Lieutenant governor candidates draw line on healthcare, immigration

9/22 - Rappaport Center forum at Suffolk Law School:

• Boston Globe: Lt. governor candidates share stage
• Associated Press: Lt. Gov. candidates meet for first debate
• Statehouse News Service: Lt. Governor candidates clash at Suffolk
• Boston Phoenix: The deliberation will not be televised

The pace of job growth in Massachusetts leads the nation, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As our state economy recovers faster than the rest of the nation, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray continue to make smart investments in our future during a time of difficult budget choices.

The administration's economic investments helped make our state a leader for the rest of the country. The Commonwealth is first in the nation in education, and we are number one in health care.

• Massachusetts is the only state in the nation with seven straight months of job growth. In August, 4,000 private sector jobs were added to our economy, with 64,300 created since December.
• Unemployment in the Commonwealth dropped to 8.8 percent in August, below the national average of 9.6 percent.
• The Commonwealth recently scored first in the nation on the "National Report Card" - the third year in a row that the state has been recognized as providing the best education in the country.
• In July, CNBC ranked Massachusetts the fifth best state to do business with. This was the first time that Massachusetts has cracked the top five and is the first northeastern state to do so.

Click here to read the article from CNBC.

The Massachusetts office of Labor and Workforce Development reported an increase of 13,200 jobs for the month of July and a private sector gain of 19,200 jobs, the largest monthly job gain in the private sector over the past twenty years. The largest gains were in Leisure and Hospitality; Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Manufacturing; and Professional, Scientific and Business Services. This marks the sixth straight month for job gains in the Commonwealth, adding 60,200 jobs since December.

This is not by accident. Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray have been working towards this recovery every day by investing in our economy, in the education of our students, in our neglected infrastructure, and in health care for our residents.

Read more about July's job numbers in The Boston Globe.

From the Boston Globe:

The Massachusetts economy expanded at more than double the rate of the national economy during the second quarter of the year, boosted by federal stimulus programs, demand for technology products, and the strongest job growth since the so-called miracle years of the 1980s, the University of Massachusetts reported.

The performance in the three-month period that ended June 30 was the fourth consecutive quarter that the state has outpaced national economic growth, UMass said in its quarterly journal, MassBenchmarks.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Sunday, July 25, 2010

By Jeremy Shulkin
Jul 15, 2010

There is no doubt that the month of June was significant for Worcester.

Just count the ways: the announcement that demolition will begin for the CitySquare project, the transfer of Worcester Regional Airport from the city's books to the Massachusetts Port Authority, and news of a $120 million deal with freight-shipping giant CSX that will relocate the company's northern hub to Worcester and double the commuter trains between here and Boston.

"June was a great month for Worcester and Central Massachusetts, in terms of the milestones that were cleared," says Lieutenant Governor and former Worcester Mayor Tim Murray. "It was a busy month for a lot of us. It was physically grueling, too."