Shrewsbury, Mass., August 11, 2018 — Today, Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito officially launched their 2018 re-election campaign at the annual Baker-Polito Summer Picnic at SAC Park in Shrewsbury.
“Lt. Governor Polito and I started this journey four years ago because we wanted to make Massachusetts a better place to live, work, and raise a family; and we’re proud that our bipartisan, reform-oriented leadership is delivering results,” said Governor Baker. “We are proud to have supported our business community and workforce to unleash growth and over 150,000 jobs, enacted landmark legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, invested historic amounts in our local public schools, and reformed broken state agencies, all while holding the line on taxes. Most importantly, we’ve demonstrated that Massachusetts can be a proud example of how working together across the aisle can create progress, and move our Commonwealth in the right direction.”
“Since taking office, we have focused on delivering the kind of bipartisan reforms and leadership that the people of Massachusetts voted for in 2014,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We are humbled by the trust that voters have placed in us to work with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in local government to advance priorities that strengthen Massachusetts’ communities and families. As we launch our campaign, we’re looking forward to making our case about why it’s important that we continue this positive momentum.”
The Baker-Polito Team’s Record Of Bipartisan Success:
Growing Our Economy
- Since Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito took office, Massachusetts has created over 150,000 new jobs, with more people working than at any time in the last 20 years.
- Massachusetts’ unemployment rate stands at 3.5%, well below the national average.
- Household incomes have risen dramatically, with every demographic group seeing increases in take-home pay.
Strengthening Our Schools
- Since 2015, the Commonwealth has increased support for our local public schools by over half a billion dollars, bringing education investments to historic levels, nearly $5 billion.
- The Commonwealth Commitment program, which leverages our state community colleges and the UMass system, allows students to pursue a four-year degree for less than $30,000.
- Massachusetts students continue to finish first in the National Assessment of Educational Progress Exam in English and Math. The Commonwealth has the highest four-year graduation rate and lowest dropout rate ever.
Tackling The Opioid Crisis
- Governor Baker signed a first-in-the-nation law that limits new prescriptions to seven days and invests more resources in prevention, education, and recovery.
- The Commonwealth is investing over $200 million across state government to combat substance misuse, a 70% increase since 2015.
- These reforms are already having an impact, including a 30% drop in new opioid prescriptions, and a drop in overdose-related deaths compared to last year.
Supporting Cities And Towns
- As promised, the Baker-Polito team has boosted local aid to cities and towns every year they’ve been in office, following years of uncertainty and cuts.
- All 351 cities and towns have participated in the Community Compact program, led by Lt. Governor Polito, improving collaboration between state and local government, and streamlining best practices for municipal government.
Respecting Taxpayers
- Since 2015, Governor Baker advocated for and enacted a doubling of the Earned Income Tax Credit, providing tax relief for over 450,000 workers and families.
- The Baker-Polito team eliminated an inherited $1.2 billion structural deficit without raising taxes, and their pro-growth, fiscally responsible leadership led to a significant budget surplus at the end of FY18
- Governor Baker proposed and signed legislation to make the sales tax holiday permanent.