Massachusetts

Governor Healey celebrated Massachusetts schools ranking Number One in the Nation's Report Card in every category for the first time in eight years. She announced a target of 100,000 Early College students within 10 years, expanded free community college for adult learners, proposed Universal Pre-K in every Gateway City ahead of schedule, and made big investments in literacy and high-dose tutoring. She also proposed strict new requirements to protect kids on social media, including parental consent and age verification.

Governor Healey announced she would eliminate prior authorization requirements for insurance, ban medical debt from credit reports, and create a Health Care Affordability Working Group. She committed to protecting 270,000 families and small business owners from premium spikes caused by federal subsidy cuts, calling it 'the biggest commitment in the country.' She also capped insurance deductibles and copays for the first time.

Governor Healey highlighted companies like Hasbro, LEGO, Alnylam, and Transmedics choosing Massachusetts, with the state leading in education, healthcare, and innovation. She emphasized supporting small businesses by cutting 25% of regulations and pledged to cut more. She announced plans for 100,000 apprenticeships over 10 years across building trades, nursing, early education, and technology, and highlighted the DRIVE Act for research and science investment.

Governor Healey outlined an $8 billion plan to fix the transportation system, highlighting the elimination of 220 slow zones on the T, new ferry routes, two new commuter rail lines, and accelerated bridge construction. She announced a new hydroelectric line lowering bills by $50 million and plans for more solar, transmission, and battery storage, plus converting unused state property and empty offices into housing.

Governor Healey emphasized supporting state and local police while building community trust. She highlighted Trooper Rassan Charles, who saved a man in crisis on the Tobin Bridge, and Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon for heroism during an assisted living facility fire. She announced proposals for new protections at assisted living homes and reiterated the state's approach of community-oriented policing.

Governor Healey announced immediate energy bill relief: a 25% cut to electric bills and 10% cut to gas bills in February and March. She filed energy affordability legislation projected to save $13 billion, pursuing an "all of the above" supply strategy including wind, solar, hydro, gas, and nuclear. She directed utilities to justify every line item on bills and pledged to require utilities to buy energy at the lowest price, while highlighting a new hydroelectric line from Quebec already lowering bills by $50 million.

Governor Healey made housing a centerpiece of her affordability agenda, noting the state hasn't been building enough homes since the 1990s. She outlined accelerating environmental approvals from over a year to 30 days, converting empty state properties and downtown offices into homes, promoting ADUs with free designs and low-cost financing, and expanding programs giving families $25,000 toward down payments and lower interest rates. She stated the goal of 220,000 new homes by 2035, with 100,000 already in progress.

Governor Healey proposed cutting electric bills by 25% and gas bills by 10% in February and March. She highlighted a $400 million middle-class income tax cut already delivered, elimination of licensing fees, expansion of the earned income tax credit, free community college, and free school meals. She noted the state's strong economy allows continued investments without raising taxes and committed to protecting healthcare for 270,000 families affected by federal subsidy cuts.

Governor Healey proposed strict new requirements to protect kids on social media, including parental consent and age verification on all platforms, preventing social media companies from targeting kids for profit, and building on Attorney General Campbell's regulatory work. She also launched free community college for adult learners in fields including technology and announced 100,000 apprenticeships over 10 years. She proposed requiring all AI-generated election images and videos to include disclosures.

Governor Healey stated that "everything we have, we owe to" military members, veterans, and Gold Star Families. She highlighted the transformation of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, which suffered 76 COVID deaths, into a facility with a perfect VA rating — now one of the best veterans' homes in America. The Chelsea veterans' home was also rebuilt and fully accredited.

Governor Healey announced plans to cut 25% more regulations for small businesses, and highlighted converting unused state property — former courthouses, hospitals, and offices — into housing. She proposed eliminating prior authorization requirements from insurance companies for medical care, stating 'if your doctor says you need it, you'll get it,' and called for making subscription cancellation as easy as signing up.

Governor Healey described extensive social service protections against federal cuts, including backstopping SNAP benefits, covering health insurance premium increases for 270,000 families, and replacing Planned Parenthood funding. She announced expanding a $25,000 down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers, proposed banning medical debt from credit reports, and highlighted eliminating prior authorization requirements from insurance companies for medical care.

Governor Healey made affordability central, announcing a 25% cut to electric bills and 10% cut to gas bills for February and March. She proposed expanding a $25,000 down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers, directed utilities to justify every line on bills, and committed to opposing big rate hikes. She highlighted over 100,000 new housing units in progress, plans to beat the 220,000-home target by 2035, free community college, free school meals, and banning broker fees. She also proposed eliminating prior authorization in healthcare and banning medical debt from credit reports.

Governor Healey condemned ICE actions, citing a high school student arrested on his way to volleyball practice and a college student deported to Honduras. She stated "none of this makes us safer" and described parents afraid to send kids to school or go to church. She emphasized Massachusetts was "built by immigrants" including her own Irish grandparents.