Written by Colin A. Young | Statehouse News Service
Recognizing Massachusetts' history while also looking to the future, Gov. Maura Healey evaluated the state's strengths and challenges in a speech Thursday night that focused on continuing past efforts rather than announcing new ones.
At the beginning of his second State of the Union address, the governor referenced the events in Lexington and Concord 250 years ago this April that led to the American Revolution, saying, “It's time again for Massachusetts to lead the nation and the world.'' ” he declared. It is also an opportunity to “know our past, understand our present, and build our future.”
Mr Healy's 57-minute speech in the House of Commons touched on the past, present and future. Midway through his term, Mr. Healey spent much of his speech reflecting on the efforts of his first two years in office, including tax cuts starting in 2023, the elimination of slow zones on the MBTA subway system, and an influx of more than $9 billion in funding. spent. federal funds. In addition to focusing on affordability and addressing cost burdens for residents and businesses, Mr. Healey also touted his administration's plans to implement last session's landmark legislation, including major housing, energy and economic development packages. is.
“This year, we're going to work on enforcing all the historic laws that I've been talking about. We're going to stay focused on what's important to you. We're going to fix transportation, we're going to fix housing, Let's take another step to make our economy better by investing in affordable education and growing our economy,'' the governor said. “State revenue is increasing. But we also know that the cost of everything we buy is going up. Federal pandemic relief is gone, so we continue to control spending and We're going to live within our means. Just as every family and business in Massachusetts must do, the budget I'm submitting next week will prioritize effectiveness, action, and impact. We want to make sure things are really moving forward in our state.”
The governor also ordered Thursday night to direct more medical resources to the front lines of primary care, plans to complete a review of all business and licensing regulations by April, and announced a new statewide It announced that it would form a new council to recommend the highest standards. School graduation standards.
The loudest applause Thursday night went to MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, who praised Healy for fulfilling his promise to clear out slow zones on the T's subway system by the end of 2024.
“When we took office, the trains were barely moving,” she said.
The transportation funding plan Mr. Healey unveiled in Worcester on Tuesday relies heavily on wealth tax revenue to solve the looming fiscal cliff and calls for $8 billion in state investments over 10 years, a move that would require an $8 billion state investment over 10 years, and would require an $8 billion state investment over 10 years to solve the looming fiscal cliff. It was a key element of the speech. It is likely to be a major focus for Congress as it begins its new term in 2025-26.
“We will put the entire system on stable financial footing, something we haven't had in decades. When we do this, we'll see the results. “We'll see bridges fully open again, Chicopee, and small local bridges like Commercial Street in East Weymouth will finally be repaired,” Healy said. There was applause from the participants. Mayors. “And finally, we’ll close the T’s budget gap so Phil and his team can keep cooking.”
The emergency shelter system, which has been stretched to its limits by the recent surge in immigration, leading Mr. Healey to declare a state of emergency in August 2023, was only briefly mentioned in Thursday's speech. On Wednesday, Mr. Healy fully supported the program's more restrictive residency requirements.
“Let's be clear: We have significantly reduced costs and prioritized Massachusetts families, and we will continue to do so. We will permanently remove families from our hotels in 2025. “We will continue to work with Congress to reform this system,” she said. “Massachusetts taxpayers should not and cannot continue to foot the bill. The federal government needs to fundamentally fix this problem by passing border security legislation.”
Rep. Marcus Vaughn, R-Wrentham, chosen for the Republican response, cited the avalanche of reports on Beacon Hill's lack of transparency and problems with the emergency shelter system, saying Mr. Healey's speech was “an important part of our “They ignore the headlines in the papers and newspapers.” The biggest concern of our residents. ”
“The governor presented a rosy image of the commonwealth and unequivocally declared that the state of the commonwealth was strong. But her narrative is far removed from reality, obscuring critical challenges and ignoring pressing issues. “I did,” Vaughn said. “Massachusetts is facing a price crisis as unsustainable living costs cause a mass exodus of residents. People aren't buying what Governor Healey is selling, and the evidence is in the real experiences of Massachusetts residents. This leak is not an accident.'' It is a direct result of a party led by the Healy-Driscoll administration's stalwart Beacon Hill party leaders and their partners. ”
The Governor also mentioned his interest in a renewed focus on investing in primary care. She announced that she was directing the administration to “shift medical resources to the front lines.”
“What do I mean by frontline? I mean primary care,” she said, adding, “I'm building an army of primary care providers across the state to respond immediately when you seek emergency care.” I want to be able to do that,” he added. By making an appointment, you can receive the care you need, when you need it. ”
Hours before her speech, the Health Policy Committee cited the lack of health care providers entering the field of primary care, low reimbursement rates compared to specialty care, unsustainable workloads and burnout, and released a report outlining patients who end up in emergency rooms because they don't have access to these areas. care clinician.
Mr. Healy also provided further details on plans to replace the MCAS standardized test as a high school graduation requirement. Voters in November removed MCAS as a graduation requirement, which Healy opposed.
“I respect that decision. But it creates a responsibility on all of us to graduate all students ready to succeed. We need high standards across the state. Students, families, and employers need to know what a diploma stands for. And by this standard, it's always the weakest who don't get what they need. These are students who are in a position,” the governor said.
In his State of the Union address, Mr. Healey announced that he was directing the Statewide Graduation Requirements Council, which includes teachers, universities, employers and students, to develop permanent, high-level recommendations.
“We are evolving into a new Massachusetts model of high-performing high schools that best serve our children. We are committed to high standards and great We will connect opportunities,” the governor said.
And given the high cost of doing business in Massachusetts, Healy said his economic team will “review all business and licensing regulations in the first three months” of this year, with the goal of eliminating red tape. He said he was giving instructions.
“We want to make it cheaper and faster to do business in Massachusetts,” she declared. “When we support businesses, they grow and thrive.”
The governor spent little time Thursday night talking about the second administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, who served as Healey's foil when he was attorney general. Since Trump won a second term in November, Healey has generally softened his rhetoric against Trump.
The state's relationship with the White House is key to many of Healey's priorities, from offshore wind development to rebuilding Cape Cod bridges.
“There will be a transition in Washington in four days, and I am committed to using every opportunity to work with the federal government in any way that benefits Massachusetts. The governor did not name the next president, but it was his only direct reference to the incoming Trump administration.
Mr. Healy's annual address to a joint session of the State Legislature always reveals the character of Bay State government and politics. Among those in attendance for Healy's remarks Thursday night were U.S. Reps. Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan, Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch. Former Governor William Weld, former House Speaker Robert DeLeo, former Senate President Robert Travarini, Therese Murray, and Stanley Rosenberg. A group of district attorneys from all over Massachusetts. Representatives of the Supreme Judicial Court and the Court of Appeals. Sean O'Brien, president of the International Teamsters Association, and Ed Kelly, president of the International Association of Firefighters. Cedric Maxwell, former Boston Celtics player and 1981 NBA Finals MVP.
