What people are saying about the State of the State

Governor Charlie Baker scored high grades for his State of the State address Jan. 23. It was his very best State of the State speech to date. His commitment to South Coast Rail, and his approach to the growing opioid crises, transportation and education pleased most policymakers and taxpayers.

The following comments and excerpts from a broad range of people, provided by the Massachusetts GOP, gives you an overview of what folks are saying about the content of Gov. Baker's visions. Though he hasn't formally announced a run for re-election, Baker is riding the crest of a very popular wave.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh: "The governor did a fantastic job tonight. The governor is popular. He's popular here in the Legislature, he's popular in the Commonwealth, and I think that anyone who makes it to the final has their hands full. I think it's going to be a difficult race, particularly when you see the accomplishments he's laid over the last three years as Governor. There have been some incredible accomplishments."

Speaker Robert DeLeo: "He mentioned a whole lot of positive things that have been accomplished in his three years in office."

Senate President Harriette Chandler: "It was a very uplifting speech."

Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez: "It was a great speech. He was inspirational, aspirational. He outlined a number of frankly successes we have had here in the Commonwealth. When I first came into office a number of years ago, the T was overburdened by its debt, there wasn't much going towards the capital infrastructure, and now a lot of that's changed with the work that we've done together."

Rep. Linda Dean Campbell: "We've seen the governor and lieutenant governor in the Merrimack Valley more times than I can remember...It's been a true partnership and the results speak for themselves in terms of economic development, helping communities to develop their downtowns and bring in new businesses."

Rep. Angelo Puppolo: "He's a hard-working governor who does a good job and cares about the people of the Commonwealth."

Sen. Eric Lesser: "Overall, it was a great speech. He covered all the right things."

GOP Leader Brad Jones: "All that positive news that I think is a strong basis to run for re-election on. Competency and effective management really are important attributes in an administration. Governor Baker provided us with a narrative of steady progress being made in our Commonwealth through his leadership and bipartisan collaboration with the legislature. Without resorting to increased tax burdens of the budgets of households and employers, strong gains have been made."

(Editor's Note: Phil Paleologos is the morning host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6-10 a.m. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.)