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Massachusetts governor campaigns with Orozco

Governor Deval Patrick joined Congressman Barney Frank, State Senator Alice Peisch, State Representative David Linsky, and more than one hundred guests at the Wellesley College Club on Wednesday night to support Sara Orozco, Democratic candidate for the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex state senate seat.

The Governor began his comments by acknowledging the state legislators who were present. “Alice [Peisch] and David [Linsky] and our other partners on Beacon Hill have worked with us in partnership to deliver the most productive legislative session in thirty years…the Buffer Zone bill…the Life Sciences bill, the Clean Energy package which consists of the Clean Energy bill, the Green Jobs Initiative, the Oceans bill. Billions of dollars have been authorized for us to start reinvesting in our infrastructure; rebuilding our roads and bridges … public and affordable housing … broadband extension and investing in public higher ed[ucation] at record levels. All of that, and we’re just getting started. That is happening because of partnerships, and partnerships are vital… Change is a process. It doesn’t happen like the flick of a switch…we have to be about governing for our long term interests; not just tomorrow’s headlines, but the lives that get changed day after tomorrow…If you want an agenda for this Commonwealth which is about moving us forward, we need partners. And that’s why we need Sara [Orozco].”

Congressman Barney Frank continued the theme of partnership in his remarks. “It is important, given that Dems have the responsibility to govern — and we do — it is important that there be, among those Democrats with that responsibility, people who have the values and commitment that Sara has… That’s why Sara is so important. We need to send her there [to the State House], to join Alice Peisch, to strengthen David Linsky, those who are already committed to doing the right thing...Sara getting elected with this kind of base of support becomes not just another vote for the right thing, but another strong, determined, thoughtful, morally committed voice to make sure the right thing comes up for a vote.”

When Sara Orozco took the microphone, she spoke of those programs and issues that are most important to her: Helping middle class families who are struggling with the high costs of good health care, housing and education; increasing local aid to lessen the pressure on property taxes; longer school days with smaller class sizes to provide a world class education to students in the Commonwealth; investing in and strengthening the Community College system and public higher education. Ms. Orozco voiced her support for the Life Sciences bill, and added, “I would like to see Massachusetts become the Green Tech capital of the world”. She continued, “My opponent did not support the Life Science Bill because [he] said it does not bring jobs to the district. Maybe it’s because I grew up by the ocean, but the way I see it, all boats rise with the tide. And I say any job in Massachusetts is good for all of Massachusetts.” She reiterated her commitment to making the Massachusetts health care system one that focuses on “access and affordability” and one that reduces the cost of healthcare through health promotion and disease prevention. “I believe we can save millions of dollars — and lives —” she said, “If we invest in better nutrition, more physical exercise, and if we just keep our youth from starting to smoke in the first place.”

Ms. Orozco, a Needham resident, is unchallenged in the September 16th Primary Election. She faces her Republican opponent in the General Election on November 4th, 2008.

The Norfolk Bristol & Middlesex District includes the communities of Attleboro (wards 1 and 2, ward 3, precinct A), Franklin (precincts 2 to 4, inclusive), Millis, Natick (precincts 6, 7, 9 and 10), Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley (precincts B, F and G), and Wrentham.