&7o.a-. /Q) a-\ (V\^95, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts f Executive Department UMASS/AMHERST * STATE HOUSE • BOSTON 02133 (617) 727-3600 12Dbb DEfiS 3MDT 7 JANE SWIFT GOVERNOR Governor Jane Swift COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS TO THE Tuesday, October 2001 2, PM Remarks embargoed until delivery at approximately 6:00 Good Evening. Three weeks ago today, a vicious terrorist attack changed our world. As we continue to grieve for those lost, we are beginning to understand the new realities facing the nation and our Commonwealth. Tonight, I want to speak with you about the steps state government has taken and will take to prepare for the weeks and months ahead. Immediately following the attack, I authorized a large-scale deployment of State Police and other public safety forces throughout the Commonwealth. These dedicated men and women have worked tirelessly to protect our cities and towns, and our major transportation outlets. They continue to patrol roads, tunnels, and bridges. And they guard the state's reservoirs and airports around the clock. Daily, I review the state ofour security with public safety officials and make any necessary adjustments in concert with our federal counterparts. One new reality is a requirement for unprecedented cooperation among federal, state, and We local authorities. are joining forces to identify threats, coordinate strategy, and share resources. The State Police have formed a new Anti-Terrorism Unit, and we are working with local governments to immediately update their emergency plans. To complement the efforts ofthe President's Office ofHomeland Security, I am creating a new cabinet-level position, Director of Commonwealth Security. This person will work with all levels and branches ofgovernment and law enforcement in Massachusetts, and coordinate our efforts with other states and federal authorities. But airport security is the one area that demands a single, clear source ofdirection and control. To protect all Americans, this requires a national approach. I am going to ask officials in Washington to federalize the security systems in our nation's airports. Ifthey don't do it, then I'm going to ask them to turn it over to state government. The citizens of Massachusetts deserve Governor Jane Swift Page 2 Address to the Commonwealth Tuesday, October 2, 2001 So know that they can count on one agency with the ultimate authority and responsibility for their safety. We've all been searching our souls these past few weeks. That two ofthose planes took offfrom Logan Airport is particularly painful for us, and has raised serious questions about the airport's security procedures. In the face ofcontinued security breaches, I have asked Colonel John DiFava ofthe State Police to assume responsibility for safety and security at Logan Airport on an interim basis. Colonel DiFava is a proven law enforcement leader with over 26 years ofexperience. As the head ofthe State Police, no one better understands the security needs ofMassachusetts families. He has been invaluable member ofour team during this critical time, and I look forward to working with him as we move ahead. His appointment reinforces the measures we have already taken, including an unprecedented number of State Police and federal agents currently patrolling the airport's roads, terminals, and parking lots. And starting this week, these efforts will be redoubled by the power ofour uniformed soldiers. In response to President Bush's request, I have called up the National Guard for service at security checkpoints in airports around the state, with the largest presence at Logan. They will be trained, they will be armed, and they will be ready for duty. We are doing and will continue to do all we can to make sure that you and your families travel safely. While security improvements can't wait, Logan's long-term organizational issues will be addressed over the course ofthe next 45 days by a distinguished six-member commission. I have appointed top management, safety, and transportation professionals to conduct an impartial Governor Jane Swift Page 3 Address to the Commonwealth Tuesday, October 2001 2, jreview ofall of MassPort's operations. They will report back to me with specific findings and recommendations. I have told them that they are not charged with placing blame or pointing fingers. But at the same time, no policy, no procedure, and no person is protected from scrutiny. All ofthese efforts demand resources, so I have invoked my emergency powers, which allows the state to continue financing unanticipated public safety costs. As our troopers continue to work punishing shifts for days on end, it's clear that more of them are needed to meet the state's security demands. I am proposing an additional $26 million for the public safety expenses we will incur this year, which will include funds for the immediate hiring and training of 150 new state troopers. We cannot ignore that these additional public safety expenditures are being made in greatly changed fiscal times. Uncertainty created by the terrorist attack has further slowed our We economy. suffered declines in state revenues for the past three months, with September's numbers a full 13 percent below what they were a year ago. I recently met with a group of leading economists, and while they spelled out in very clear terms that we face some difficult months ahead, they also stressed that our weakened state economy is sitting on a strong foundation. We have savings totaling $4.5 billion. This is a storm we have been preparing to weather for years. Republicans and Democrats - including House Speaker Finneran, Senate President 1 Birmingham, and Minority Leaders Marini and Lees - have taken the necessary steps to foster a resilient and flexible economy in Massachusetts. Our unrelenting focus on fiscal discipline boosted confidence, while our tax policies encouraged investment. Governor Jane Swift Page 4 Address to the Commonwealth Tuesday, October 2, 2001 , But we must continue to act. We will hold the line on spending, while funding our priorities as best we can. The choices we make now determine the extent to which we will continue investing in our economy and in our families during these difficult times. The first choice I made was to sign legislation that set aside last year's surplus - almost $600 million. While Legislative leaders continue to work on a budget, we recently sat down and set a spending target well below any ofour initial expectations. I've also directed state agencies to plan on little or no growth for next year's budget. The few exceptions I've made are for critical health care and education programs. We can't and we won't forget that behind fiscal forecasts and budget numbers are real people with real families. To help those already struggling, I've directed the state to eliminate the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. I'll ask the Legislature to evaluate all spending from current reserves with a two-pronged litmus test: First: "Will it help families currently impacted by these economic woes?" and second, "Will it enhance their safety and security?" I can assure you that I will not sign any expenditures that fail to meet these qualifications. Tomorrow, I'm getting on a plane at Logan and travelling to Washington to further discuss our plans with Bush Administration officials and our congressional delegation. I'll be asking for their continued support and their assistance in meeting our goals, and I will let them know that Massachusetts stands ready to assist the nation in its time ofneed. But as we prepare for the future, we are constantly reminded ofthe painful events that brought us to this new reality. For those who lost their lives September 1 1th, we offer our prayers. To their families, we offer our steadfast support, including allowing the children and