Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey delivered her third State of the Commonwealth address on Thursday, repeating a familiar refrain from the House rostrum.
“The state of the commonwealth is strong,” said Healey.
The speech quickly turned to President Donald Trump and what’s happening in Washington. Healey condemned the action of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration’s funding cuts while chastising Trump himself.
“We have a president who throws temper tantrums like a 2-year-old — no disrespect to 2-year-olds,” the governor said.
Beyond federal issues, Healey focused on affordability and efforts to address rising utility and housing costs.
Healey’s office announced Thursday that it would use $180 million in state dollars to bring down utility bills.
“In February and March, we’ll cut your electric bills by 25% and your gas bills by 10%,” Healey said in her speech.
The Democratic incumbent’s three Republican gubernatorial challengers — Mike Kennealy, Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Minogue — panned the speech and the governor’s plans.
GOP leaders in both the Senate and House also weighed-in on the 51-minute speech.
“We’re going to give money back in February and March, and then you’re going to pay more in the summer. My electric bill in the summer is higher because of air conditioning, it’s kind of a wash,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones speaking on Healey’s utility plan.
“There’s no doubt about it that what the federal government does has an impact on us,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “But we need to really be looking introspectively.”
Several notable guests were also in attendance, including former Massachusetts Govs. Bill Weld and Michael Dukakis, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ken Casey, lead singer of the Dropkick Murphys.
