Week In Review: State Of The Commonwealth, GE's Tax Record

22:59

January 22, 2016

We're reviewing the week in the news, beginning with Gov. Charlie Baker's first State of the Commonwealth address Thursday night.

"We looked at the big pictures and we crushed the details," said the governor. "For decades, the people of this state have set the bar high and followed through and, because of all that, I can stand here tonight and say with certainty that the state of our Commonwealth is strong."

The governor didn't lay out a grand vision for the future, but he did dive into some of the details of his first year in office, including his reputation as governor "fix it."

"Now, as the administration ends its first year in office, some have lamented how boring we are," said the governor. "I must admit: that makes me smile. No fights. No yelling. No partisan scrums! Every day the people expect their state government to work. They work hard. They have to sweat the details, and they have to perform. So should we."

We'll also talk about Mayor Walsh's State of the City address, what kind of neighbor we can expect GE to be in Boston and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, who is dialing back her rhetoric on Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Guests

Dante Ramos, columnist for the op-ed page of The Boston Globe. He tweets @danteramos.

Nancy Gertner, Harvard Law School professor and former Massachusetts federal judge.

The Boston Globe: For Baker, It's All About Fixes, Not Splashy New Ideas

"Acknowledging that 'some have lamented how boring we are,' he did not make any splashy new proposals in the high-profile address, opting instead for tweaks to the machinery of state."

Radio Boston: Mayor Marty Walsh Gives Second State Of The City Address At Symphony Hall

"Tuesday night, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivers his second state of the city address from Symphony Hall."

Radio Boston: What Kind Of Neighbor, Taxpayer Will General Electric Be In Boston?

"More details are coming out about the deal that lured GE. The Boston Globe is reporting that the full version of the agreement to bring GE to Boston — which has not been made public — includes a promise from the city to spend $100 million to reopen the Old North Avenue Bridge to make it easier to get to the South Boston waterfront. The paper says the agreement also contains a commitment from the state to spend $25 million for roads, walkways and bike lanes. That’s on top of more than $140 million in state and city incentives and tax cuts."

Radio Boston: Middlesex DA Keeping Options Open On Trying Boston Marathon Bomber For Murder

"'Right now, this is an insurance policy. We are preserving our rights should something ever — in the unlikely event that something should ever change with that federal conviction. And that’s all that’s happening,' Ryan said, noting that she will have about four more years to decide whether to take action."

This segment aired on January 22, 2016.

Guests

More