Patrick's overseas trip cost estimate $175K

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The cost estimate for Governor Deval Patrick's upcoming trade mission to Israel, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is $175,000 dollars.

The administration says cost of the trip will be picked up in part by private business and also taxpayer funds. Patrick announced the overseas trip, his third in just the last six months, Tuesday. He is leaving on May 27 and returning on June 4 and taking a delegation along with him that includes public officials like Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Boston Economic Development Chief John Barros.

In March, Patrick took a delegation to Panama and Mexico. The administration says the cost was between $75,000 and $80,000. In December of 2013, Patrick led a delegation to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. The cost of that trip was $130, 000. In October, he led a delegation to Canada at a cost of $32,000.

With just six months until Massachusetts elects a new governor, Patrick is raising questions about why he's traveling so much during his final year in office. Is he padding his resume? During a stop in New Bedford on Tuesday, FOX 25 Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti asked Patrick about the trip, but he said he would only speak about it "in the next day or two." When asked if he was "job shopping" Patrick dismissed the question and got into his SUV.

Cox Media Group