Restoring the Governor’s Council?

As the primary season gets underway many candidates are making allegations about the Governor’s Council that are off point.

I would like to first point out that as a regular attendee of the Council hearings and meetings I have only seen three candidates, other than myself, show up for any hearings or meetings, and only one of those was from District 2.

Nonetheless statements are being made about what needs to done to change the Governor’s Council.

Calls to restore the Governor’s Council appear to be a desire to return to the past.

There is no question that how nominees are selected has changed in recent years.

As pointed out in an earlier blog, Governor Romney drastically changed makeup of the Judicial Nominating Commission, the body that first vets nominees, excluding anyone who was not a lawyer.  

The current governor still has not revisited this change.

The Governor’s Council itself has changed.

Where once Council hearings were poorly attended, and no questions were asked of the nominee, now attendance has improved and nominees are more thoroughly questioned.

None the less this change does not appear to be a welcome change to all.

Many candidates are calling for a return to the past, the “Glory Days” of the Romney administration.

Calls to “restore” the Governor’s Council should be met with caution. “Restoring” the Governor’s Council to what most viewed as a rubber stamp machine may serve politicians but it certainly will not serve the people of Massachusetts.

I have advocated, and will continue to advocate for a process that is open and transparent to public. 

The changes that have been made at the Governor’s Council in recent years have brought about a clearer understanding of who the nominee’s are and why they are being submitted for consideration.  I don’t believe that is asking too much and I support the direction of this change.

Patrick McCabe is a candidate for Governor's Council District 2 with a primary on Thursday, September 6, 2012.