By now, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Governor Deval Patrick must be pretty tight. They’ve worked together on a number of citywide and statewide initiatives, they see eye-to-eye on a number of policies and of course, they both hold dear the immediate needs of those over whom they govern.

In that respect, and not at all unexpected, Mayor Walsh released a statement praising Governor Patrick, the quality of his State of the State address and the optimism it’s poised to instill throughout all corners of Massachusetts.

Said Mayor Walsh,

I want to thank Governor Patrick for his unwavering dedication and leadership to the Commonwealth over the last 7 years. I was encouraged to hear the Governor’s strong call to raise the minimum wage and to increase access to affordable higher education. These are the foundation to bridging the economic divide that we face in Boston. I have been proud to partner with Governor Patrick as a member of the Legislature, and as Mayor of Boston, I look forward to continuing our partnership in his final year to ensure that our streets are safe, our local economies are strong, and the people of our City and Commonwealth thrive.

The Mayor also shed insight into how he felt about President Obama’s State of the Union, which, similarly, was well received with Walsh.

Continued Mayor Walsh,

I applaud President Obama for focusing tonight on economic mobility and income equality across our country. Every kid in every neighborhood deserves the chance for a pathway to higher education and a good career. Nowhere in the United States of America should your zip code define your destiny.

 

President Obama’s proposals for strengthening our economy and creating jobs are good ones. He is right to define this year as one of action. Workers earning the minimum wage cannot wait. The long-term unemployed cannot wait. Entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to innovate and grow our local economies cannot wait. Our broken immigration system cannot wait. Cities – the economic engines of our country – we can’t wait.

 

Finally, I want to thank the President and First Lady for recognizing two people who represent the indomitable spirit of the City of Boston, Jeff Bauman and Carlos Arredondo. Their courage in the face of tragedy is something we can all be proud of.