Patrick-Murray Administration To Hold Community Forums On Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

Press Release

Building on his commitment to civic engagement and governing for the long-term, Governor Patrick and senior administration officials will host 19 Budget Hearings and Forums across the Commonwealth over the next five weeks to ensure that citizens across the state have input in developing the Governor's budget recommendations. Secretary Ian Bowles of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will kick-off the first in the series today at 3:30 p.m. at 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor, in Boston to discuss the state of our economy, the budget, and implications for the critical services the state provides.

The forums and hearings, each of which will be hosted by the Governor or senior administration officials, will give residents a chance to share their priorities for the budget and allow them to offer suggestions, ask questions and engage with their neighbors. Hearings will allow for individuals to provide written and verbal testimony regarding their specific recommendations while the forums will consist of an open conversation and dialogue about general topics concerning the budget.

"We are deeply committed to providing fiscal leadership in these challenging times that is based on our values," said Governor Patrick. "These forums will help us accomplish that critical goal, as we begin the FY 2011 budget process."

Continuing to responsibly manage the state budget amid an unprecedented global recession, Governor Patrick last month outlined a five-point plan for closing an estimated $600 million budget gap for FY10. Provisions of the plan included Executive Branch 9C cuts, state personnel impacts, consolidation of agencies, pooling state's energy purchases and expanded 9C powers and voluntary cuts from non-executive branch agencies.

Dates, times, locations and administration hosts for other forums will be found at www.mass.gov/governor/forum. Summaries of the forums, along with videos and questions, will be posted on our blog, www.mass.gov/blog/engage, starting next week. If you are not able to attend a forum, you can still be a part of the conversation by contributing online.

All forums and hearings are open to the public. To find more information, visit the website or call the Governor's Office at 617-725-4036.

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