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January 6, 2017

Baker cites opioids, pot law, and the economy as 2017 priorities

Antonio Caban/SHNS Gov. Charlie Baker said he plans to focus on implementing the state's new marijuana law, the opioid crisis, and the economy in the coming months,
By State House News Service

Though Gov. Charlie Baker won't give his annual State of the Commonwealth address until Jan. 24, he gave reporters a sneak peak at some of its themes Wednesday.

The governor has been tight-lipped about his agenda for the new legislative session, but his speech will serve as an opportunity for him to lay out a set of priorities as he moves into the second half of his term and toward a likely reelection campaign.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Baker pointed to three issues he expects will keep him busy in the coming months - the economy, the opioid crisis and marijuana legalization - topics already familiar to his administration.

"We're obviously going to want to continue to improve on our economic performance here in the commonwealth and do some things to see if we can't spread it out a little more," Baker said. "The economic performance over the past several years across the Commonwealth has gotten better, but there are certainly places where it needs to get a lot better."

The state economy has been growing, though not as rapidly as Baker and legislative leaders had hoped. Unemployment in Massachusetts is at a 15-year low, pegged at 2.9 percent, and has been declining.

Since taking office two years ago, Baker has devoted significant time and attention to combating the scourge of opioid abuse and overdoses. That effort, he said Wednesday, will continue.

"I still talk to too many people who feel that people who are dealing with addiction aren't comfortable speaking about it and presenting about it because there is a certain stigma associated with it," Baker said.

Perhaps most immediate on his agenda is dealing with the marijuana legalization law voters approved in November over the governor's wishes. Baker and the Legislature agreed to a six-month delay in the law's regulated sales provisions last week, and now they must determine how to tweak the new law to their liking.

"Obviously, I think we're going to be spending some time dealing with the marijuana issue, certainly during the first couple of months anyway," Baker said.

The State of the Commonwealth address to the Legislature and public is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the House Chamber.

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