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Healey outlines ongoing priorities to address housing costs, MBTA in 1st State of the Commonwealth speech
“Today, Massachusetts is more affordable, more competitive, and more equitable than it was a year ago.”
Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday delivered her first State of the Commonwealth address since taking office last year, highlighting steps taken by her administration during her first year as governor and outlining her agenda to address a range of ongoing challenges in her second year, including the MBTA, housing costs, and climate change.
“We set high goals for our first year in office,” Healey said. “I stood here one year ago and made promises. And because we came together, and we acted with urgency, we delivered results. We met every one of our goals. Today, Massachusetts is more affordable, more competitive, and more equitable than it was a year ago. And the state of our Commonwealth, like the spirit of our people, is stronger than ever.”
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Healey said the budget proposal she will file next week will reflect her administration’s ongoing priorities of lowering the cost of housing and child care, “strengthening schools,” addressing congestion on the state’s roadways and the failings of the railways, helping businesses, and meeting the climate crisis.
“This is the work ahead of us, and there’s no time to wait,” Healey said.
The governor said all the work starts with housing, calling it “the biggest challenge we face.” She said in the year ahead her administration will focus on passing her Affordable Homes Act, which, if passed by the Legislature, would be the largest housing investment in state history and create tens of thousands of new homes.
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“This isn’t just a few unlucky people,” Healey said. “It’s the heart of our workforce. It’s the soul of our communities. It’s the future of our state. We have to act and we have to act now, to make it easier for everyone to find affordable places to live.”
During her speech, the governor also announced several new initiatives for 2024, including launching a new early literacy strategy, reauthorizing the Life Sciences Initiative, initiating a new climate tech initiative, and increasing funding for roads, bridges, and the MBTA in the state budget.
Acknowledging the frustrations MBTA riders have faced in recent years with unsafe conditions, shutdowns, and slowdowns, Healey said there is “still a long way to go” in fixing the system.
“I want to thank T riders for your patience as the work continues,” Healey said. “We are committed to making your commutes better. And I can share with you tonight: our budget proposal next week will offer transformative investments to improve all the ways we get around in Massachusetts. We’ll increase funding for local roads and bridges to record levels, with special investments dedicated to rural communities. We’ll double our support for MBTA operations, and tackle deferred maintenance, to build a system worthy of our economy. And we will establish a permanent, reduced fare for low-income T riders; and continue affordable options at regional transit authorities.”
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Watch the governor’s full speech below:
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