1. OPIATE RECOVERY
Baker’s biggest ask in the speech was for lawmakers to pass the CARE Act, legislation to combat the opiate epidemic and crack down on fentanyl traffickers.
2. THAT’S MR. BIPARTISAN, NOT MR. REPUBLICAN
The biggest victory of Baker’s years in office has been the cozy relationship the Republican executive shares with the Democrats in charge of the Legislature, and there was very little in Tuesday night’s speech for Democrats to get riled up about.
Baker’s speech didn’t cover much new ground for policy initiatives the governor wants to take up, but it did shed some light on how he may want to be seen this election year. Throughout the speech, Baker sought to characterize himself as a master of bipartisan cooperation with the Democratic Legislature.
“I don’t think I’m being too simplistic when I say we are all here to help people. We may differ about how we get that done, but we all share that goal. We all want to create opportunities for people... To live a long and healthy life. To believe in their own future and the future for their kids and their families. But we also want people to believe in their government,” Baker said.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo was asked earlier in the day of he thought Democrats would begin to put more pressure on Baker as the election cycle heats up. DeLeo said attitudes are still to “put politics and egos aside for the betterment of the state.”
“You know, as of right now I think we’re continuing to see that bipartisan effort. But as time moves on, we’ll have to see. It is my hope that unlike what you’re seeing in Washington right now, you’re not going to see in Massachusetts. We can continue this working together most importantly,” DeLeo said.
Amid the litany of first term victories the governor recited from the House rostrum, Baker teased plan the state has to unveil a large bulk purchase of clean energy made possible under a 2016 law.
“In a few days, the Commonwealth will announce the results of the largest renewable energy procurement in our history,” Baker said. This would be the specific combination of clean power options promised by Baker when the Legislature granted him greater authority to purchase energy. Baker often referred to the purchasing plan as a “combo platter” in the runup to the bill’s passage.
4. MASSHEALTH REFORMS ARE SO 2017
Reforming MassHealth, the state’s medicaid program, was one of the biggest part of Gov. Charlie Baker’s agenda last year. If you asked him about a year ago, Baker would have put his plan to lower MassHealth enrollment at the top of his list of priorities. He said then switching people from the state rolls to Health Connector plans was crucial to keeping MassHealth solvent.
But MassHealth only came up once last night, and with little urgency:
“Our discussions with the legislature and other interested parties about MassHealth have been helpful. And we believe our shared goals of quality care and long-term sustainability can be achieved,” Baker said.
Baker could still offer changes to MassHealth in the budget plan he’ll file Wednesday.
5. HOUSING CRUNCH
Baker also asked the Legislature to help him build more affordable housing in Massachusetts. Baker’s Housing Choices legislation would leverage grant money, technical aid and other incentives to build 135,000 new affordable units by 2025.
“Young people, seniors, young, working and middle class families can’t afford to rent or buy a home here in the Commonwealth,” Baker said, and Democrats sitting in the House chamber would be hard-pressed to disagree.
Democratic lawmakers are working on their own version of a housing bill and House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Baker’s bill may be included. Acting Senate President Harriette Chandler also has housing high on her agenda.
