Gov. Deval L. Patrick (D) • Jan. 23
Gov. Patrick’s first State of the Commonwealth speech included a call for lawmakers to move swiftly on a proposed increase in education spending. The governor, elected in November 2006, is seeking $5.2 billion for precollegiate education in his $28.2 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2009. That would include an increase of $223 million, a 6 percent hike from the current year, in state education aid to cities and towns. His proposal includes an additional $15 million to expand the state’s universal prekindergarten initiative and $8 million to increase the number of schools that offer full-day kindergarten. The governor also wants $13 million to raise the number of schools offering extended learning days. Currently, 19 public schools are participating in the extended school day program.
