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3 takeaways from our interview with Gov. Maura Healey
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We have Gov. Maura Healey on our airwaves this morning. The Massachusetts governor joined WBUR's Morning Edition to discuss several pressing topics facing the state this summer. Let's begin today with the takeaways:
Healey says World Cup will 'for sure' have a net positive impact
Healey expressed confidence the World Cup will be a moneymaker for Massachusetts, despite some early underwhelming signs. Massachusetts has spent tens of millions of dollars in federal and state funds on security, transportation and celebrations for the games. But a hospitality industry survey in April reported that bookings at nearly 80% of Boston-area hotels were below seasonal expectations. And MBTA officials said this week that only around half of the agency's $80 commuter rail train tickets for the first five World Cup matches in Foxborough have sold. But according to Healey, there's been "a lot of pickup" in both bookings as the first games draw near this weekend. "In terms of the long-term overall economic impact, I think it will be positive for sure," she said. "But to what degree, we have yet to see."
A hands-off approach to the local Senate race
While Healey has weighed in not once but twice on the U.S. Senate race in Maine, she isn't planning on making an endorsement in the contest here in Massachusetts — at least not in the primary. "Look, I work with both Seth Moulton and Ed Markey," Healey said. "I have respect for both of them, and that'll be for the voters of Massachusetts to decide." Pressed on if she thinks she'll endorse either fellow Democrat before the Sep. 1 state primary, Healey said, "no." (Two of Massachusetts' other statewide elected officials, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Attorney General Andrea Campbell, have backed the incumbent, Markey.)
A focus on AI 'fluency'
Healey's administration has been pushing artificial intelligence adoption, from offering free AI training to residents to making a ChatGPT assistant available to state workers. The governor said the initiatives are part of an effort to balance fears about AI job displacement with the potential efficiency benefits. "I don't want workers to get run over by AI," she said. "I don't want our economy to get run over. I want us to have agency and control, but burying our head in the sand is not the way to do it. I want AI fluency." Healey said she hadn't read enough about Rep. Lori Trahan's new AI oversight bill to have a position on it, but called for "constructive" policy discussions at the state and federal level "so that people are protected."
In other news:
In Maine: Graham Platner is officially the projected winner of yesterday's Democratic primary to take on incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the fall. With just over 80% of the ballots counted, the oyster farmer and combat veteran won 72% of the vote, compared to about 20% for Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended campaigning but remained on the ballot (and still hasn't endorsed the scandal-plagued Platner). The Associated Press has more here on Platner's victory night speech, which stressed a message of redemption as he heads to the general election.
- Meanwhile, no candidate topped 50% in the gubernatorial primaries to succeed Mills — nor in the Democratic primary for the state's open 2nd Congressional District seat. That means ballot-counting in those races will head into ranked choice voting tabulations, which could take over a week.
Free fares keep rolling: Mayor Michelle Wu and the MBTA announced yesterday that Boston's three fare-free bus routes will remain free through the end of the year. The program was set to expire at the end of this month, as the city stretched federal pandemic relief funds to keep it going.
- Wu's office said the new six-month extension is being paid for with "a credit from the MBTA" for full-rate payments the city made to offset lost fare revenue after the T had introduced discounted fares for low-income riders in 2024.
Out west: Hampshire College looks like it will stay open for its final semester this fall after all. Following doubts about whether it had enough money to stay open as long as initially planned, Hampshire College President Jennifer Chrisler announced this week that they had gotten a loan from "philanthropic partner" which will allow them to move forward with the summer and fall "teach-out."
P.S.— Looking for a place to view the World Cup (for free) with fellow soccer fans? We've updated our list of public watch parties around Massachusetts — and put them all on a map. Click here to find a watch party near you.
