Short after 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, Governor-elect Charlie Baker made his way into the Massachusetts House of Representatives Chamber. In customary fashion, a joint committee was called to inform the governor-elect that a session had been called for his swearing-in. After a rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner, and the swearing in of the Governor’s Council, Charlie Baker took the oath of office and became the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Governor Baker’s oath of office was followed by that of his Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who both signed their names three times signifying their official positions on Beacon Hill.
Lt. Governor Polito then addressed the House Chamber, extending her gratitude to all of those in attendance and congratulations to Governor Baker.
“We won’t let you down,” she said.
“Today we especially remember and miss my friend and mentor Governor Paul Cellucci for the leadership he showed our state.”
— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) January 8, 2015
“We all know that we need to ensure every child receives a first-rate public education. Regardless of where they live.”
— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) January 8, 2015
“We commit ourselves to our citizens. We commit to work tirelessly in a bipartisan way. With focus and a refusal to accept failure.”
— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) January 8, 2015
Governor Baker then took to the podium for his first public speech as the chief executive of the Commonwealth, met with tremendous applause. He, too, thanked the distinguished guests, including the state’s former governors and Angela Menino, the wife of late Mayor Tom Menino.
“We’ve led the way for the nation on issues ranging from health care reform to marriage equality,” said Governor Baker. “But we’re nowhere near our full potential. Some of our toughest challenges have been ignored and lost amid the successes.”
He then touted his intent to be bipartisan and diverse, evidenced by the staff he’s appointed to date. Top priorities for his administration, he said, are dealing with an immediate budget deficit, building a job-creating economy, closing the achievement gap, confronting opiate addiction and revitalizing our urban centers.
And he pledged to hold the line on taxes, streamline regulatory processes and pave the way for start ups to grow at an unprecedented rate, take substance abuse and drug addiction head on and to bring under-resourced cities, towns and neighborhoods the tools to afford them the economic success seen in other parts of the Commonwealth.
“There is clear evidence that we’re too complex, too expensive, and too slow to move and make decisions. On this we must do better.”
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) January 8, 2015
“Across Massachusetts, there are many talented and inspiring educators doing for their students what their predecessors did for me.”
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) January 8, 2015
“I’ve said a thousand times that I want every community to be a place where people believe tomorrow is going to be better than today.”
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) January 8, 2015
We wish the best of luck for Governor Baker and his administration in the next four years. You can reread and review the transcript of his inauguration speech here. His inauguration celebration will take place at 8 p.m. tonight in the Innovation District following tour of Roxbury’s Dudley Square Neighborhood Initiative.
