Lt. Gov. Polito promises to work with cities, towns

Calling herself a “champion” of local government, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said that she and Gov. Charlie Baker look forward to working closely with local officials to improve the quality of life in all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

“In our office you will have a strong voice,” she told about 250 local officials gathered for the Women Elected Municipal Officials luncheon, held during the MMA Annual Meeting on Jan. 23.

Polito, a former Shrewsbury selectman, highlighted the new Community Compact Cabinet, created by executive order with the intention of strengthening the administration’s connection with cities and towns. As chair of the new cabinet, Polito promised a direct line to the executive branch.

The new cabinet, along with the administration’s immediate release of $100 million in Chapter 90 local road funding, is meant to send a message, Polito said, that the Baker administration is committed to a partnership with cities and towns. She said she looks forward to working with the MMA and the Local Government Advisory Commission, which meets regularly with the administration and is chaired by the lieutenant governor.

Polito discussed an earlier meeting with mayors and managers from around the state, where she outlined some issues affecting cities and towns that the administration intends to address quickly, such as unfunded mandates, homeless families living in motels, pension costs, and the opioid crisis.

“As local officials, you are on the front lines and should be setting the agenda,” she said. “It’s our job to see what we can do to ease up the burden on you and stretch those tax dollars, so they get to the services to help people in your communities.”

Polito said she understands the challenges of being a local official and remembers having to deal with mid-year local aid cuts after budgets were already approved locally. Politio was adamant that the Baker administration “would never compromise local aid.” The state’s budget for this year, she added, “won’t be rebalanced on your backs.”

Polito pointed out the significant presence of women in the Baker administration, including Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Policy Director Elizabeth Mahoney, and Deputy Housing and Economic Development Secretary Carolyn Kirk, the former mayor of Gloucester.

“We know it’s important to have a plan and a vision and have capable people around,” she said, “and we are ready to roll-up our sleeves and get to work with each and every one of you.”

A lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, Polito served as selectman from 1995 through 1997. She then served on the State Lottery Commission and in 2000 was elected to represent the 11th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In 2010, she ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer.

Polito owns a commercial real estate development firm and is a board member on the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce.