Healey Speaks, and Wrentham Republican Delivers Rebuttal

Drawing from Massachusetts history while also peeking into the future, Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday night took stock of the state's strengths and challenges in a speech that focused more on following through on past work than on announcing new initiatives. Following the speech, Republican State Rep. Marcus Vaughn, from Wrentham, delivered a rebuttal to many of the claims made by the governor [see end of story].

The governor began her second State of the Commonwealth address with a reference to the events at Lexington and Concord 250 years ago this April that led to the American Revolution and declared that "it's Massachusetts' moment again" to lead the country and the world, as well as an opportunity to "know our past, understand our present and build our future."

Healey's 57-minute speech in the House Chamber touched on past, present and future. At the midpoint of her term, Healey spent much of her speech reflecting on the work of her first two years in office, including the tax cut package from 2023, eliminating slow zones on the MBTA's subway system, and hauling in more than $9 billion in federal funding. In addition to a focus on affordability and addressing cost burdens on residents and businesses, Healey also pitched her administration's plans to implement last session's headlining laws, including major housing, energy and economic development packages.

"This year, we're gonna work to implement all that historic legislation that I was talking about. We're going to stay focused on the things that matter to you. We'll take new steps forward to fix transportation, make homes more affordable, invest in education, and grow our economy," the governor said. "State revenues are growing. But we also know, no matter what you're buying, the costs have gone up. The federal pandemic relief is gone. So, we're going to continue to control spending and live within our means, just as every family and business in Massachusetts must do. The budget I submit next week will prioritize efficiency, action and impact. We need every dollar -- you need every dollar -- to make a difference. We're going to do that because I want to make sure that things move and really go in our state."

The governor also announced Thursday night that she is ordering greater health care resources be directed to the front lines of primary care, plans to complete a review of all business and licensing regulations by April, and will establish a new council to recommend a new statewide high school graduation standard.

One of the loudest rounds of applause Thursday night was for MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, whom Healey praised for making good on his pledge to wipe away slow zones on the T's subway system by the end of 2024.

"When we took office, trains were barely moving," she said.

The transportation financing plan that Healey rolled out in Worcester on Tuesday, one that calls for $8 billion in state investments over a decade with a heavy reliance on wealth surtax revenues to resolve the T's looming fiscal cliff, was a major component of her speech and is likely to be a major focus of the Legislature as the new 2025-26 lawmaking term gets going.

"We'll put the entire system on stable financial footing, something we haven't had for decades. When we do this, you'll see the results. You'll see bridges fully open again, like the I-391 viaduct in Chicopee. You'll see smaller, local bridges finally fixed too, like Commercial Street in East Weymouth. You'll see more funding in your town's budget to fix roads and sidewalks," Healey said to applause from a group of mayors. "And finally, we're going to close the T's budget gap so Phil and his team can keep cookin'."

The emergency shelter system that has been maxed out by a surge of migrants in recent years -- and which led Healey to declare a state of emergency in August 2023 -- got only a brief mention during Thursday's speech. On Wednesday, Healey fully backed more restrictive residency requirements for the system.

"I want to be absolutely clear: We are dramatically reducing costs, and we have, and will, prioritize Massachusetts families. In 2025 we'll get families out of hotels for good. We're going to keep working with the Legislature to reform this system," she said. "Massachusetts taxpayers should not, and cannot, continue to foot the cost. The federal government needs to fix this at the source, by passing a border security bill."

Rep. Marcus Vaughn, the Wrentham Republican chosen to give the GOP's response, referred to the avalanche of coverage about a lack of transparency on Beacon Hill and problems with the emergency shelter system and said Healey's speech "ignored the headlines of our leading papers and the top concerns of our residents."

"The governor presented a rosy picture of our commonwealth, declaring unequivocally that the state of the commonwealth is strong. However, her narrative fell far short of reality, obscuring critical challenges and ignoring pressing issues," Vaughn said. "Massachusetts faces a crisis of affordability, with an unsustainable cost of living driving a mass exodus of residents. Folks are not buying what Governor Healey is selling, and the proof is in the lived experiences of the residents of Massachusetts. This exodus is no accident. It is a direct result of one party led by entrenched Beacon Hill party bosses and their partners in the Healey-Driscoll administration."

The governor also touched upon her interest in a renewed focus on primary care investments. She announced that she is directing her administration "to shift health care resources to the front lines."

"What do I mean by the front lines? I mean primary care," she said, adding, "I'd love to build a whole army of primary care providers to be out there across our state, so that when you call for an appointment, you're actually going to get one. You’ll get the care that you need, where and when you need it."

Hours before her speech, the Health Policy Commission released a report outlining the shortage of providers entering the primary care field, low reimbursement rates compared to specialty care, unsustainable workloads and burnout, and patients turning to emergency rooms because they couldn't access a primary care clinician.

Healey also put more detail around her plan for a successor to the MCAS standardized tests as a high school graduation requirement. Voters in November eliminated the MCAS as a graduation requirement, an outcome that Healey opposed.

"I respect that decision. But it creates for all of us a responsibility, to make sure every student graduates ready to succeed. We need a high, statewide standard. Students, families, and employers need to know what a diploma represents. And without that baseline, it’s always the most vulnerable students who don’t get what they need," the governor said.

Healey used her State of the Commonwealth speech to announce that she is directing a "Statewide Graduation Requirement Council" including teachers, colleges, employers and students to develop recommendations for a permanent and high standard.

"We'll evolve to a new Massachusetts model for high school excellence that best serves our children. And we'll match high standards with great opportunities – like the Early College and job training programs that give students a leg up on their next step," the governor said.

And with the high cost of doing business in Massachusetts in mind, Healey said she is instructing her economic teams to "review all business and licensing regulations in these first three months" of this year, with the goal of cutting red tape.

"I want it cheaper and faster for you to do business in Massachusetts," she declared. "When we back our businesses, they grow and thrive."

The governor spent very little time Thursday night talking about the second administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, a foil to Healey during her time as attorney general. Since Trump won a second term in November, Healey has generally softened her rhetoric towards him.

The state's relationship with the White House will be key to a number of Healey's priorities, from offshore wind development to rebuilding the Cape Cod bridges.

"In four days, there will be a transition of power in Washington. I assure you we will take every opportunity to work with the federal government in any way that benefits Massachusetts, and I also promise you we will not change who we are," she said in the only direct reference to the incoming Trump administration, though the governor did not use the president-elect's name.

Healey's annual address to a joint session of the state Legislature always brings out a who's-who of Bay State government and politics. Among those in attendance for Healey's remarks Thursday night included U.S. Reps. Katherine Clark, Lori Trahan, Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch; former Gov. William Weld, former House Speaker Robert DeLeo, former Senate presidents Robert Travaglini, Therese Murray and Stanley Rosenberg; a bevy of district attorneys from around Massachusetts; representatives from the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court; General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean O'Brien and International Association of Fire Fighters President Ed Kelly; and former Boston Celtics player and 1981 NBA Finals MVP Cedric Maxwell.

Marcus Vaughn Took Issue with Healey's Optimistic Assessments

In
brief remarks delivered via X, two-term Republican State Rep. Marcus
Vaughn pointed out the new taxes implemented in recent years,
revenues from gambling, and yet the state’s inability to manage or
repair the MBTA.

“There
is undeniable proof that Massachusetts government has a serious
spending problem,” he said, with many programs siphoning money away
from local schools.

As
a result, Vaughn said the state risks losing its competitive edge.

“As
the newly elected Governor of New Hampshire likes to say,
Massachusetts used to be a success story,” now
we're just a cautionary tale.

Vaughn
said it’s time
for
the state to
chart a new path by
lowering taxes and reducing regulations, which
he said
can empower businesses to thrive, create high paying jobs and lower
the cost of living.

He
echoed a familiar refrain about state spending coupled with lack of
transparency and pointed out that 72%
of Massachusetts voters supported
having the
state auditor open
the government books to hold lawmakers accountable,
and yet “legislative
leaders have brazenly ignored” these
calls.

Va

ughn
also criticized the
humanitarian disaster of the
migrant shelter system over
the last three years that
has cost some $2.5
billion. “And
that's just the amount they're telling us,”
he added.

Vaughn
said Massachusetts
Republicans think it's time to prioritize schools, local services
and the needs of our residents rather
than
spending on free migrant housing. And,
he noted, that it took a Mass
GOP public records request to
expose
the
horrifying incidents within state funded shelters, including sexual
assaults, drug trafficking and violent crimes.

Even
worse, he
charged, “the
administration knowingly suppresses revelations betraying the trust
of Massachusetts residents.

He
said the Governor
has no problem threatening the people of this commonwealth
with the MBTA
mandate
while
failing to enforce laws to protect the state from violent criminals.

But
the tide is turning, Vaughn
said, citing
the special election of Republican senator Peter Durant.

Vaughn
ended on a more personal and local note.
Growing up, I he
said he deeply
admired
his
grandfather,
Robert G Lawson, “who instilled in me both an entrepreneurial
spirit and a profound sense of community. Lawson
was
small business owner who ran a barber shop amongst other ventures
right in Boston, his legacy extended far beyond his work. Though he
was not a politician, neighbors often turned to him with their
concerns, seeking his
guidance and support. He taught us to treat everyone with respect and
compassionate principles that continue to guide me today. His legacy
serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership isn't defined by
sound bites, the political showmanship. It's about serving others and
fostering a strong sense of belonging. This is the spirit we must
reignite in our Commonwealth. Our Commonwealth deserves a government
of leaders like my like my grandpa, he
said

Massachusetts
is at a crossroads, he
said, it can continue down a path of secrecy, mismanagement and unaffordability,
or chart a bold new course to restore affordability. We must reduce
taxes, implement smarter housing policies and return growth decisions
to municipal control. To ensure transparency, we must enforce the
audits Massachusetts residents voted
for and
open
the legislative processes and end the abuse of transparency
exemptions in the legislature. To uphold accountability in our
shelter system, we must enforce residency requirements, implement
comprehensive background checks and restore fiscal responsibility,
together with more balance in state government, we can build in
Massachusetts, where families afford to stay, businesses can thrive
and opportunities are within reach for all. Thank you, and may God
bless you and God Bless our Commonwealth,
Vaughn concluded.