January 2, 2003
GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SWORN IN
Romney, Healey Celebrate Inaugural Events; Emphasize Themes of Inclusion and Public Service
Optimistic for the future, but calling for "immediate and hard action" to address the state's fiscal crisis, Governor Mitt Romney today delivered his Inaugural Address before a joint session of the Massachusetts State Legislature, saying the "source of our greatness is our people."
Romney reinforced his pledge not to raise taxes, saying it hurts people "when we tax away their ability to invest in themselves and to make their own life choices." To pull the state out of it perpetual budget problems, Romney said, "the only permanent solution is to change state government."
He promised to lead a fundamental reform of state government in order to revive the Commonwealth's economy, saying we are facing a "financial emergency."
Romney said, "Let's be honest about our financial crisis. It has taken way too long to recognize the need for change. A windfall in tax revenues from the Internet boom and the market's irrational exuberance masked the truth. State government spent the windfall and borrowed even more. We've even used up virtually all our cash, borrowed all our cash, borrowed all the banks will lend us and we are still spending more than we are earning. We are facing a financial emergency." Source 01-02-2003 Press Release
"There is no easy way out of this mess. There's no time to wait for the fruits of careful streamlining and restructuring. We must take immediate, hard action," Romney said.
Prior to the speech and following the oath of office, Romney signed the Register of Governors with a pen used by his father, three-term Michigan Governor George Romney, during a bill signing. The pen is the property of the Michigan State Archives and is on loan for today's ceremony.
Emphasizing the inaugural theme of inclusion and public service, Romney and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey were greeted upon their arrival at the State House by a "Citizens Welcome" of Girl Scouts, City Year Corps members and Beverly High School Band students. In Nurses Hall, they autographed inaugural post cards for school children, then saluted veterans in the Hall of Flags and shook hands with members of the public at the foot of the Grand Staircase.
Faces of citizens were on display throughout the inaugural events, photographed by high school students across Massachusetts. Romney and Healey started the day by serving breakfast to homeless veterans in Boston and later participating in a basketball game with middle and high school students at the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club in Dorchester.
In a departure from the past, Romney and Healey held the traditional prayer service the previous evening at the New Covenant Christian Church in the predominantly minority neighborhood of Mattapan.
Tomorrow, they extend the festivities to western Massachusetts by visiting a Springfield elementary school.
In his 20-minute inaugural speech, Romney vowed to invest in the citizens of the Commonwealth by providing an excellent education, a strong economy, affordable housing andhealth care, and defending civil rights.
"I believe that the source our greatness is our people. Their education, skills, inventiveness, determination and faith make us a very distinct people on the face of this planet," Romney said before a packed crowd in the House Chamber of the State House after taking the oath of office.
He added, "In this new century, perhaps as much as any other time in our history, the qualities of our free people emerge as our greatest strength. And because I believe this is so, I believe that we best strengthen our state and our nation by investing in our people and in protecting their freedoms."
Governor Romney outlined specific guiding principles he will utilize to change the state's bureaucratic ways and revive the Commonwealth's economy. In the next several months, Romney pledged:
Honest and timely reports to the Legislature and the people of Massachusetts to keep them apprised and up-to-date on the state's fiscal situation;
To face the fiscal crisis head-on, he will make the difficult, immediate decisions necessary to get our state out of the current financial crisis. These decisions may include downsizing or eliminating many non essential government programs to manage the massive budget deficit; and
A comprehensive proposal to restructure state government in a way that will result in a greater level of responsiveness to our citizens, faster decision making, a lighter more agile bureaucracy and an openness to change. Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, who was also sworn in before the Legislature in the House Chamber, joined Romney in pledging to revitalize the Commonwealth, calling on the people of the state to join them.
"Each of you, as citizens, will have a critical role to play in the revitalization of our state. Our communities and our neighborhoods must become active again, working in partnership with government to maintain critical services for those most in need - children, the poor, the sick, the elderly and the disabled," Healey said.
She added, "We need more than just responsive officials. We need citizens who will once again stand ready to contribute their time and effort for the good of our society. This was once the strength of our Commonwealth and it can be so again."
Romney also honored the spirit of public service during his speech by recognizing two state employees who have gone beyond the call of duty - Matthew Chao and State Police Trooper Michael Michno.
Chao, from Newton, is employed by the Department of Corrections, overseeing inmates who produce Braille books and texts for blind students. Chao, who was born blind, has worked for state government for a decade and is an inspiration to all who work with him.
Trooper Michno, of Somerset, has served in the Massachusetts State Police for nearly 10 years. He has dedicated his time - both on and off duty -- to helping prevent the loss of life of children in car accidents by assisting parents install car seats properly.
More than 7,300 people participated in the inaugural events, which were capped off with an inaugural gala held at the World Trade Center in Boston featuring entertainment by the Boston Pops.
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