Watch a video of Gov. Charlie Baker's full address above.
Gov. Charlie Baker used the occasion of his sixth major annual speech to finally admit that the MBTA needs a significant influx of funding in order to operate safely and more effectively. Baker's plan for adding $135 million to the T's operating budget comes after years of cost-cutting and fiscal reforms to day-to-day operations, while spending billions on long-term maintenance and replacements.
“This will ensure the T has the resources it needs to implement the recommendations of its safety review panel and continue to accelerate service improvements," Baker said.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo wasn't blown over by Baker's proposal, telling the press after the speech the House will stick to its plan to raise revenue annually for the MBTA as well as regional transit agencies, roads and bridges.
"We have to move forward right now. I'd look at our our needs right now and transportation, relative to roads and bridges, RTAs, whatever it may be, as something that we have to address now," DeLeo said.
Baker didn't mention which, if any, taxes or fees he'd like to see increased to pay for the MBTA's infusion, but unlike previous major speeches, Baker did not explicitly rule out tax hikes.
2050 Climate Goals
A highlight of the speech was a new and ambitious environmental goal for Massachusetts: net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Getting to net-zero would essentially mean the state produces or imports enough clean energy to cancel out its use of carbon-emitting fossil fuels through a system of offsets.
Baker says that unless the state commits to programs like a multistate compact to lower vehicle emissions, climate goals won't be met.
“I get that this is going to be hard. But together, we have a real opportunity, and a responsibility to achieve a significant reduction in transportation emissions," Baker said.
Democrats are on board with this one. Senate President Karen Spilka said after the speech the Senate will move similar legislation this week.
"The Senate is coming out with a climate bill on Thursday and it will contain a net zero emissions greenhouse gas by 2050. So I'm thrilled that the governor is joining us with that," Spilka said.
DeLeo said he expects the House to take up the bill before the end of the session.
Between The Lines
Absent from the address was any acknowledgment of the gaffe Baker committed at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast Sunday where he described an impassioned speech on race by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley as "that rant." Baker quickly apologized, but not before many social justice advocates admonished him for what they heard as a tone deaf choice of words.
Down To The Wire On Baker's Agenda
Much of the rest of Baker's speech can be seen as the opening salvo of his last-ditch effort to convince lawmakers to pass his legislative agenda. Without overtly lamenting lawmakers' delay getting his housing, health and safety bills through the chambers, Baker once again urged action from Democrats.
"For the sake of our communities, our young people, our seniors and our families, let's find the common ground on housing policy that must be in here somewhere and let's get this one done," Baker said of the zoning reform bill that's been languishing in the Legislature for years.
Lawmakers have until the end of July to get bills to Baker's desk before they recess until 2021.