Commerce comes to Newton

Governor Healey takes questions during the Charles River Chamber of Commerce event on March 31. Photo courtesy of Leise Jones

On March 31, Governor Maura Healey spoke to the Charles River Chamber of Commerce at the Boston Marriott Newton.

Governor Healey touched on many wide-ranging topics, including the economy, commerce, transportation, housing, and health, during her speech, which pertained to most members of the audience, which included small business owners, non-profit organizers, and members of educational institutions.

“From day one I have been a progrowth, pro-business governor and we have worked hard to try to find ways where we can continue to power our economy, really boost our economy and also find ways to reduce some of the barriers and the frictions to the way that you all engage and do work,” Healey said.

Healey intends to ensure the Commonwealth creates the best quality of life for residents and will work to retain a workforce, increase housing and improve the transportation system.

Governor Healey said that the MBTA has been making improvements and touted for the first time in twenty years, there are no slow zones on any line of the MBTA. Slow zones are areas where parts of the tracks that the MBTA utilizes are rundown, causing trains to run below speed.

The governor expressed her hopes to protect the federal funding from threats to health care and Medicaid and applauded Attorney General Andrea Campbell for taking action to push back on cuts that will have an impact on residents of Massachusetts.

“I’ve been raising a lot of alarm about what’s happened with cuts to medical research, what’s happened to – with cuts to NIH,” Healey said.

“We are so blessed in this state to have not just best in the country but best in the world, world-class hospitals and health systems, including Newton-Wellesley, one of America’s best. And the research that is performed at our hospitals and our universities saves lives and also fuels a vibrant innovation economy.”

Congressman Auchincloss speaks about changes in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Leise Jones

Governor Healey admitted the changes coming from the new federal government’s administration will have an impact on the residents of Massachusetts but assured the crowd that she and her team are focused on delivering results for the state.

“I am focused on what can I do every day to deliver for people here,” Healey said. “How can I work with our team to deliver results? That’s the focus.”

The Commonwealth ranks number one as a state in many different dimensions that Healey championed, including education, health care, innovation, and the best state to raise a family. Massachusetts has been named as the safest and most environmentally friendly state in the country.

After two years in office, Healey plans to grow the Commonwealth’s economy and create jobs for the remainder of her term. In terms of transportation, Healey intends to improve roads and bridges across the state.

On the education front, Healey and her team outlined strengthening schools across the state and expanding pathways into college and careers.