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3 things to know about Gov. Maura Healey's 2025 State of the Commonwealth
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The state of the commonwealth? Still “strong,” according to Gov. Maura Healey. If you missed last night’s speech, here are the main takeaways:
Missions accomplished: While Beacon Hill was at times slapped with an unproductive reputation last session and the state’s affordability remains a concern, Healey made sure to herald all the major laws passed over the course of the past two years (even if some arrived after the typical deadline):
- A billion dollars in tax cuts.
- Tuition-free community college.
- A historic (if, for some, unsatisfying) investment in housing.
- Child care subsidies.
- A sprawling economic development package.
- Reforms to clean energy permitting, veterans benefits, prescription drug prices and hospital oversight.
- Progress addressing the state’s “aging infrastructure,” with a new $8 billion plan and a slow zone-free MBTA. “In Phil we trust,” Healey said, in between big rounds of applause for perhaps her most well-reviewed hiring decision. (Meanwhile, reviews for the $8 billion plan are more mixed.)
Now what? Healey suggested a focus of the coming year will be implementing those new laws — actually building the housing and keeping the momentum going on the T. But there are a few legislative priorities for the coming months, like shifting the burden of broker’s fees off renters and overhauling the eligibility rules for the state’s over-capacity shelter system, one of the “tough, unexpected problems” Healey said her administration faced. (Neither bill is a sure thing. After the speech, House Speaker Ron Mariano said “there’s some doubts” about the impact of Healey’s broker’s fees proposal, while Senate President Karen Spilka worried about the prospect of shelter changes leaving families out in the cold.)
- Two other bits of news from the speech: Healey announced a new council to recommend a statewide high school graduation requirement to replace the repealed MCAS exam. And as part of her ongoing competitiveness push, Healey said her team will review “all” business regulations this winter with “a goal of cutting red tape” when the rules don’t “make sense.” (She cited the recently lifted restrictions on craft beer at farmers markets as an example.)
The elephant in the room: President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office on Monday. But it wasn’t until the end of her speech that the transition got a passing mention. While the Democrat sued Trump over 100 times as attorney general, Healey has said she will try to find common ground — up to a certain point. “We will take every opportunity to work with the federal government in any way that benefits Massachusetts,” she said. “And I also promise you: we will not change who we are.”
Watch Healey’s full speech or read the transcript for more on her agenda, the state’s big A.I. bet and Joe Mazzulla quotes.
Green for green: Boston Public Schools is getting big money — $35 million — from the EPA to purchase 125 electric school buses. That’s more than four times as many that the district currently has, and it’s a big help in the push to fully electrify its school bus fleet by 2030. “This investment — and these buses — are gonna be what brings us into a new era so kids don’t have to stand on the corner breathing in stinky, harmful diesel fumes,” said David Cash, the EPA’s regional administrator.
- Zoom in: Despite the uncertainty around future funds with the incoming Trump administration, local officials are exploring ways to ensure clean infrastructure upgrades remain a priority.
Heads up: The MBTA’s tracks may be in good shape, but thanks to other deteriorating infrastructure, there are more partial shutdowns headed our way. Free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line service between Oak Grove and North Station tonight at 8:30 p.m. through the entire holiday weekend. The diversion will allow MassDOT to work on an old bridge by the Boston/Somerville border.
- To note: The Haverhill commuter rail line will also be suspended from North Station up to Andover on Saturday and Sunday due to the bridge project (but it will be fare-free tonight and Monday).
Soda tax: The Boston City Council is exploring a tax on sugary drinks. Councilor Sharon Durkan proposed the idea this week as a way to incentivize healthier diet choices (like other local tax changes, it would need approval from the State House). WBUR’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey has more here on what’s ahead for the proposal and lessons learned from other cities with soda taxes.
P.S.— Who is Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 2025 Man of the Year? Take our Boston News Quiz and see if you know the answer!
