Gov. Baker, David Ortiz at “Saving By Shaving”
Read the Baker-Polito Administration’s “Corner Office Connect” update for April 2019.
Saving By Shaving 2019
For the fifth consecutive year, Governor Baker got a buzz-cut at Granite Telecommunication’s annual “Saving by Shaving” event to raise awareness for cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was joined by Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy, former Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, and a number of other current and former Boston pro athletes. At this year’s event, Granite Telecommunications announced an over $6 million contribution raised for Boston Children’s Hospital.
Education funding reform proposal
Last month, Governor Baker testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education to tout the Administration’s proposal to reform education funding in order to close the achievement gap. Governor Baker made the clear case that the Administration’s proposal fully funds the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Committee and fully funds Chapter 70 — all without needing to raise taxes.
READ TESTIMONY | MASSLIVE COVERAGE
Allowing flexibility for schools to improve outcomes
Expanding the Administration’s focus on closing the achievement gap, Lt. Governor Polito last month announced legislation allowing communities to implement Innovation Partnership Zones, which give educators more flexibility and resources to made decisions that work best for their students. Based on a successful model in Springfield, these Zones are a proven way to boost opportunity for students in lower-performing districts.
PRESS RELEASE | MASSLIVE COVERAGE | STATE HOUSE NEWS COVERAGE
Lt. Governor promotes Housing Choice legislation in Easthampton
Lt. Governor Polito kicked-off the Administration’s statewide effort to promote the Housing Choice legislation with a visit to Easthampton. The Lt. Governor and Housing & Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy joined Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and other local leaders to highlight the legislation, which would make key zoning law changes to enable communities to spur more housing production.
DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE COVERAGE | WWLP COVERAGE
“We will be allowed greater access to smart growth and starter home districts that are near our existing activity centers.” - Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle on the benefit of housing reform
Read more from the Daily Hampshire Gazette: Polito pushes housing options bill in Easthampton
Local Support For Housing Choice Grows:
FITCHBURG SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE | LYNN DAILY ITEM
Massachusetts leads nation in innovation
The Baker-Polito Administration remains committed to ensuring that the Commonwealth sustains its status as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. WalletHub recently named Massachusetts the nation’s “most innovative state,” a sign that Massachusetts continues to lead the way as a center for cutting-edge advances in technology.
And last month, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito attended the ribbon-cutting for DraftKings’ new headquarters in Boston, another example of the Commonwealth’s growing innovation economy. During the visit, they highlighted their efforts to advance STEM education in the Commonwealth’s classrooms, to ensure the next generation has the skills they need to compete in tomorrow’s economy.
News in Brief
- Governor signs supplemental budget funding $8 million to replace federal dollars for women’s health providers that were impacted by Title X rule changes (MassLive.com)
- Lt. Governor visits Northampton to announce $10 million in Municipal Vulnerability Grants for communities to implement climate mitigation efforts (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
- Governor, First Lady honor Merrimack Valley gas crisis first responders at Red Cross breakfast (Salem News)
- Lt. Governor awards Site Readiness grants to Chicopee, Greenfield, Westfield (MassLive.com)
