(The Center Square) – Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday delivered the State of the Commonwealth address, touting her first year accomplishments from tax cuts to providing free college.
She outlined her agenda for the year in pledging to expand housing, transportation and access to pre-K education.
Healey underscored the challenges of making Massachusetts more affordable, highlighting housing, child care and lagging transportation.
“Costs are too high for housing and child care,” she said. “Our schools are the best, but not for every student. Congested roads and slow trains steal our time and our joy. It’s frustrating.”
In response to high costs, the governor applauded the Legislature for working with her administration in passing tax cuts, which she said will help make the commonwealth more affordable.
“I want to thank the Legislature for your partnership in making Massachusetts more affordable. Tax cuts were just a start,” the first-term Democrat said.
Perhaps in an attempt to reach across the political aisle, Healey stressed the importance of smarter spending. She noted that the commonwealth’s boost in federal funds from pandemic relief is now obsolete.
“It’s also true that, as a state, we had several flush years with pandemic relief funding from the federal government,” Healey said. “Now that’s gone away. We need to be smart with how we spend our money – your money.”
Despite the lack of pandemic funds, the governor said the state’s economy is strong, noting the state’s “rainy day fund.”
“Our bond rating is excellent, and we have record amounts in our rainy day fund,” said the governor.
Healey used strong economic health to push for the passage of the multi-billion dollar Affordable Homes Act. The governor said the program will help develop more housing while making it more affordable.
“It will reduce barriers to housing production and give communities the tools to develop more housing where they need it,” she said. “It would bring down housing costs for everyone. That means passing our $4 billion Affordable Homes Act – the most ambitious housing plan in Massachusetts history.”
Healey touted MassReconnect, which provides free community college for those 25 and older, saying the program will grow a higher-skilled workforce while strengthening the economy. She used the program’s success to push the Gateway to Pre-K plan, which aims to provide universal pre-K to every 4-year-old.
“By 2026, we will guarantee access to high-quality, affordable preschool for every 4-year-old in all 26 Gateway Cities. That means a seat in a classroom for over 23,000 children,” Healey said.
In addition to education, Healey announced budget plans to improve transportation by increasing funding for local roads and bridges, with “special investments dedicated to rural communities.” The governor plans to double support to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
“We will establish a permanent, reduced fare for low-income T riders; and continue affordable options at regional transit authorities,” she said.
The governor also touched on the migrant crisis, spurring an emergency. She used the address to call on Congress to help recoup costs while working to fix the problem.
Republican Sen. Peter Durant provided his party’s response to Healey’s address, heavily criticizing Democrats’ continual support of the Right to Shelter law. He said it is being exploited and costing the commonwealth.
“The Right to Shelter law is being exploited, and you are bearing the economic burden,” Durant said. “We must work together to amend the Right to Shelter law to carry out the mission it was intended to 40 years ago when it was written: To serve residents of the commonwealth with emergency housing when they find themselves in distress.”
The senator said the law is incentivizing migrants to come to the state and, without action, will hurt “future generations.”
