Governor Deval Patrick is going to Hollywood. Despite his experience with speech writing, he's not vying for a writing job. The State House News Service has the story.
Patrick administration officials are planning a visit to Hollywood next week when they travel to San Diego for a biotechnology convention, according to sources with direct knowledge of the schedule, though aides to the governor declined to discuss the side trip.A visit to the silver-screen capital during the largely taxpayer-funded trip would likely afford Gov. Deval Patrick and other officials the chance to highlight the state's efforts to lure film industry incentives to Massachusetts. It was unclear late Monday how large the traveling contingent would be, or where in the city it would visit.
While Patrick aides refused to release information the Hollywood trip, sources said the governor and other officials were scheduled to meet with studio executives Thursday, the final day of the convention. Patrick aides have also remained tight-lipped about whether Patrick will travel to Chicago for a political event with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and other governors.
Officials have been guarded about discussing details of the West Coast swing, saying the list of attendees has not been finalized yet. At the international biotech convention, they are hoping to draw attention to the 10-year, $1 billion life sciences proposal the Legislature appears likely to pass this week.
Patrick aides said they would discuss the details of the trip this week.
That should give them plenty of time to figure out what is the most palatable story to tell the taxpayers. "Sounds like Governor Patrick is ready for his close-up. Is he heading to Hollywood on state business or to option his book for a movie?" asked Barney Keller, Communications Director of the Massachusetts Republican Party. "The taxpayers have a right to know."
