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'First lesbian governor': Maura Healey sworn in as governor of Massachusetts

Maura Healey has replaced former Republican Governor Charlie Baker, 66, who didn’t contest after two successive terms
PUBLISHED JAN 6, 2023
Maura Healey took the office of Governor, Massachusetts on Thursday (Kris Connor/Getty Images for EMILY's List)
Maura Healey took the office of Governor, Massachusetts on Thursday (Kris Connor/Getty Images for EMILY's List)

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Maura Healey, the first woman and open member of the LGBTQ community has been sworn into office after her inauguration ceremonies in the House Chamber at the Statehouse in Boston on Thursday, January 5. In her inaugural address, the democrat leader pledged to govern ‘with empathy and with equity.’ She has replaced former Republican Governor Charlie Baker, 66, who didn’t contest after two successive terms at the helm.

Kim Driscoll was named lieutenant governor, as she was sworn in alongside Healey on Thursday. This also marks the first such instance when an all-women ticket will hold the office. The new governor emphasized on high rise in the cost of housing in the state and vowed to bring it under check with the help of a new secretary of housing within 100 days of office. “The cost of housing is out of control because we simply don’t have enough of it. If we want Massachusetts to be a home for all, we need to build more places to live," she said.

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While acknowledging Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's under-functioning, during her 35-minute opening speech, Healey assured that within two months, she would bring in a safety chief to inspect the department that oversees the Boston-area public transportation system. The governor also revealed her plans to hire 1,000 new workers to get the system rolling at its full strength by proposing funding in her first budget.

Healey earlier served as Massachusetts attorney general, and won against Republican candidate Geoff Diehl in the general election, before she had a successful run and remained unopposed in the Democratic primary last year. She acknowledged prejudice in society against the LGBTQ community and promised to remove the ‘barriers,’ including against people of color, people with disabilities, and women have to face. “Our greatest strength is our people, but we cannot reach our potential as a state when so many are held back from reaching their own,” Healey said while announcing that she will direct every agency to carry an equity audit, as per NBC News.

“No matter what challenges we face, no matter what lies ahead, we will stay true to the best of ourselves,” she concluded her oath-taking ceremony carried out by Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka. “We will act with empathy and with equity. We will work together.”

Healey said that during her tenure as attorney general, she counted on teamwork, and will continue to do so in her new role.

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