Baker-Polito administration

Baker-Polito administration
Name	Baker-Polito administration
Caption	Governor Charlie Baker (left) and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito (right) in 2015.
Term start	January 8, 2015
Term end	January 5, 2023
President	Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden
Governor	Charlie Baker
Lieutenant governor	Karyn Polito
Party	Republican
Election	2014, 2018
Predecessor	Deval Patrick administration
Successor	Maura Healey administration

Baker-Polito administration was the executive branch of Massachusetts state government led by Republican Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito from 2015 to 2023. Elected in the 2014 election and re-elected in the 2018 election, the administration was known for its pragmatic, moderate approach in a heavily Democratic state. Its tenure was largely defined by fiscal management, a major expansion of infrastructure investment, and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background and election

Following the two-term Deval Patrick administration, the 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial election featured a competitive three-way race. The Republican ticket of Charlie Baker, a former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care CEO, and Karyn Polito, a former state representative, defeated Democratic nominee Martha Coakley, the Attorney General, and independent candidates Evan Falchuk and Scott Lively. Baker and Polito campaigned on a platform of fiscal discipline, improving the MBTA, and fostering a favorable climate for businesses like General Electric, which later relocated its headquarters to Boston. Their victory marked a return of a Republican to the State House corner office.

Major policy initiatives

Key legislative achievements included the 2018 Massachusetts Grand Bargain, which raised the minimum wage, created a paid family and medical leave program, and phased out time-and-a-half pay on Sundays. The administration signed the 2016 Massachusetts Energy Diversity Act to procure more power from hydroelectricity and offshore wind projects like Vineyard Wind. It also championed the 2021 Massachusetts Climate Act, setting a target of net zero emissions by 2050. In education, the administration supported the 2019 Student Opportunity Act, which increased funding for K–12 schools, particularly in districts like Chelsea and Lawrence.

Budget and fiscal management

Fiscal stewardship was a central tenet, with the administration building up the state stabilization fund to record levels and avoiding broad-based tax increases. It consistently submitted balanced budgets to the General Court, often using a combination of modest spending growth and reforms to programs like MassHealth. The administration worked with the Massachusetts Legislature, led by Democratic leaders such as Robert DeLeo and Ronald Mariano, to pass fiscally conservative measures while funding priorities in higher education, including the University of Massachusetts system, and local aid for cities like Springfield.

COVID-19 pandemic response

The administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic received national attention and high in-state approval ratings. Key actions included early declarations of a state of emergency, the creation of the COVID-19 Command Center led by Marylou Sudders, and implementing a phased reopening plan. It launched initiatives like Stop the Spread for testing and oversaw one of the nation's most successful vaccination campaigns through sites like Gillette Stadium and in partnership with CVS Health. The administration frequently collaborated with the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, and later Michelle Wu.

Cabinet and judicial appointments

Baker appointed a mix of Republican and Democratic professionals to key roles, including Kristen Lepore and Michael J. Heffernan as Secretaries of Administration and Finance. Other notable appointments included Monica Bharel as Public Health Commissioner and Curt Wood as Secretary of Veterans' Services. In the judiciary, the administration appointed a significant number of judges to courts like the Supreme Judicial Court, including Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt.

Public works and infrastructure

A hallmark was a $18 billion, five-year capital investment plan focused on modernizing the state's infrastructure. Major projects included the Green Line Extension into Somerville, the replacement of the Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge, and the ongoing modernization of the Springfield Union Station. The administration also advanced the South Coast Rail project to restore service to Fall River and New Bedford and made significant investments in the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and MassDOT roadways.

Legacy and public opinion

The administration concluded with Governor Baker choosing not to seek a third term in the 2022 election, succeeded by Democratic Governor Maura Healey. It maintained historically high approval ratings in polls from organizations like Suffolk University and The Boston Globe, often attributed to its bipartisan approach during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis. Its legacy is frequently cited as one of pragmatic centrism, fiscal stability, and large-scale infrastructure renewal, leaving a substantial impact on the Commonwealth's trajectory.

Category:Massachusetts government Category:2010s in Massachusetts Category:2020s in Massachusetts