Governor Patrick arrived at the Cape Codder Resort shortly after 12:30 p.m., and took the stage to pitch his budget proposal to more than 100 business owners, chamber members, and local officials.
Over the course of thirty minutes, Governor Patrick spoke at length about the need to make significant investments in public education and transportation infrastructure. Following his remarks, the Governor fielded questions from the crowd, including Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent of Barnstable Public Schools. Czajkowski praised the Governor for his commitment to education, and applauded his proposal to make major investments in Massachusetts’ public schools.
“We have found in Barnstable, especially in our Hyannis West population, that 21 percent of our children never attend school prior to first grade, because we don’t have mandated kindergarten and preschool is costly,” said Dr. Mary . “In the governor’s funding mechanism he has universal pre-school and universal access to all children.”
The Governor’s visit on Thursday marks the third time that he has traveled to the mid-Cape area in as many weeks, having traveled to the region to assess recent winter storm damage.