Governor Deval Patrick's Budget Recommendation - House 1 Fiscal Year 2012

Governor's Budget Recommendation FY 2012

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Office of Access and Opportunity


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Governor Patrick    FY2012 House 1 Budget Recommendation:
    Issues in Brief

    Deval L. Patrick, Governor
    Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor

 

The Patrick-Murray Administration has been and remains committed to a broad interpretation and implementation of the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all facets of Executive Branch operations.  In January 2007, the Governor issued Executive Order 478, which spells out this commitment in clear terms.  In order to ensure that there is a single point of accountability within the Administration, the Governor launched the Access and Opportunity effort, headed by an Assistant Secretary. To further clarify the Administration’s commitment to and expectations of state agencies to achieve nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in all facets of executive branch operations, the Governor issued Executive Order 519, which formally established the Office of Access and Opportunity (“Office”), and which spells out the responsibilities and authorities of the Office. 

The Mission of the Office of Access and Opportunity is to be a catalyst for and coordinator of activities that facilitate the executive branch’s efforts to achieve, maintain and enhance an environment that fosters nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in state services, programs and activities.  Specific activities related to the mission involve supporting the efforts of women, minorities, persons with a disability, and others to gain employment and business opportunities with the Executive Branch; partnering with internal and external stakeholders to advance social and economic equity; and developing policies, programs and other mechanisms to most effectively advance the objectives of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

To advance this mission, the Office of Access and Opportunity has developed four enduring strategic goals:

STRATEGIC GOAL 1

Ensure nondiscrimination and equity of opportunity in Executive Branch personnel activities.

STRATEGIC GOAL 2

Ensure nondiscrimination and equity of opportunity in state procurement activities.

STRATEGIC GOAL 3

Ensure nondiscrimination and equity of opportunity in executive branch programs, services, activities, regulations and policies.

STRATEGIC GOAL 4

Bring forward a legislative and policy agenda that (a) fulfills the preceding goals and/or that (b) enhances the social and economic outcomes of low-income residents.

Governor’s House 1 Proposal

To further embed the work of the Office of Access and Opportunity in the everyday fabric of state government operations, the Governor’s fiscal year 2012 budget proposes to codify the Office in the General Laws. Further information related to the Office of Access and Opportunity can be found online at www.mass.gov/anf/oao.


Prepared by Ron Marlow, Executive Office for Administration and Finance ·
www.mass.gov/budget/governor
For more information contact: contactanf@massmail.state.ma.us (617) 727-2040



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