A day before he leaves the State House as governor for the last time, Gov. Charlie Baker took a few moments to say goodbye and thank you to the people who twice elected him to office.
Baker used the six-minute speech, broadcast from his ceremonial office in the State House, to reflect on his accomplishments and the spirit of generosity that he said makes Massachusetts a special place.
He said that spirit was on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic, when not everyone agreed with his decisions but people across the state banded together to staff vaccine and test sites, check in on neighbors, support first responders, volunteer at food pantries and help find needed medical gear.
"It is our fervent hope that your generosity never wavers," the outgoing governor said. "It is truly what makes you special, and it's the foundation on which we can continue to build great communities and a great commonwealth."
Baker, a Swampscott Republican, said interactions with the state's residents and collaboration with the Legislature helped fuel his team’s accomplishments, like turning a billion-dollar budget gap into a $5 billion surplus and extending broadband access to Western Massachusetts communities.
"We delivered major infrastructure projects long-promised but never done," he said. "We passed the first major housing reform bill in decades so we can finally do something about the cost of owning a home, and we did it all without partisan bickering."
Baker's goodbyes will extend into Wednesday, when he's scheduled to ceremonially hand over his gavel, keys to the corner office and other symbols of the governorship to Gov.-elect Maura Healey, before taking his final walk out of the State House with his wife, Lauren Baker, and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
