Massachusetts Gov. Healey delivers State of the Commonwealth address
(WJAR) — Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a number of new proposals aimed at addressing the housing crisis, healthcare costs, high energy bills among other issues during her third State of the Commonwealth address.
"Because we stay true to who we are, I can tell you tonight that the state of the commonwealth is strong," Healey said.
Healey highlighted her plan to transform abandoned state properties and unused state land into new homes and turn downtown office spaces into apartments. She also announced that she's investing $25 million to expand a homebuyer assistance program to help more first-time homebuyers.
She also announced relief for ratepayers this winter. Her administration will be covering the cost of $180 million worth of reductions with money from existing funding sources.
"I'm going to oppose any big rate hike proposed by the utilities," Healey said. "People need help now. I'm announcing that in February and March we'll cut your electric bills by 25% and your gas bills by 10%."
According to a spokesperson for National Grid, the utility company will be able to recover a portion of the money back from customers in the warmer months.
Healey also addressed healthcare costs. She proposed cutting pre-authorization from health insurance companies.
"If your doctor says you need it, you're going to get it," she said.
Healey said she will soon file new regulations to ban medical debt from being reported to credit agencies.
"It's bad enough when you get a huge bill when you're dealing with an illness, and to have it wreck your credit on top of that, it's just not right," she said. "So we're not going to let that happen."
Healey touted new companies moving to the Bay State including toymaking giant Hasbro which announced its move from Rhode Island to Massachusetts last year.
The governor was critical of the Trump administration. She spoke against the Trump administration's rollout of ICE agents and noted multiple high profile ICE arrests in Massachusetts including a high school student in Milford who was detained while on his way to volleyball practice.
Healey recognized Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon who was in the crowd. She noted the efforts of first responders during the Gabriel House fire which killed 10 people.
