Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and cabinet secretaries convened in Springfield on Friday, December 18, for their weekly cabinet meeting, followed by a series of events across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties showcasing regional initiatives and seeking community input as part of Governor Baker’s commitment to make every corner of Massachusetts a great community.

Governor Baker began the day with a visit to the John J. Duggan Middle School in Springfield with Education Secretary Jim Peyser while Lt. Governor Polito attended the swearing-in ceremony for Justice C. Jeffrey Kinder to the Massachusetts Appeals Court. After both events, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito attended a weekly cabinet meeting at the Governor’s Western Massachusetts offices. Governor Baker and Public Safety (EOPSS) Secretary Dan Bennett toured Westover Reserve Air Force Base and participated in a press conference to highlight the economic impact of the Commonwealth’s military installations. Governor Baker then joined Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Marylou Sudders in Greenfield to preview new addiction treatment beds funded as part of the administration’s campaign to combat the opioid epidemic. In the afternoon, Lt. Governor Polito joined local officials from eight Berkshire cities and towns for a regional Community Compact signing.

Throughout the day, Cabinet secretaries held additional events showcasing Western Massachusetts’ schools, environmental protection efforts, agriculture, capital grants, health initiatives and community input as part of regional economic development strategies.

#Springfield now: Secretary Pollack, Mayor Sarno at Union Station, talking #transit oriented development. #TOD pic.twitter.com/Ui4jYjZXo6

— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) December 18, 2015

.@MassGovernor being greeted by middle school students at the Duggan school in #Springfield. #MAEdu pic.twitter.com/qhf1nvbWUt

— MassEducation (@MassEducation) December 18, 2015

.@MassGovernor, Sec Peyser and local leaders visiting a classroom at Duggan Middle School. @MASchoolsK12 #MAEdu pic.twitter.com/9yB86Bdlal

— MassEducation (@MassEducation) December 18, 2015

MT @MassEducation: @MassGovernor, Sec Peyser + local leaders visit a class @ Duggan MS. @MASchoolsK12 #MAEdu #SEZP pic.twitter.com/uIbhhfegMH

— Empower Schools (@EmpowerSchools) December 18, 2015

Gov.Baker begins day in western Mass.with tour of Duggan school in Springfield pic.twitter.com/ODKfp8Mrpc

— Paul Tuthill (@ptuthill) December 18, 2015

At Springfield's Duggan Middle Academy, part of @SPS_Mass, with @MassEducation Secretary Peyser. pic.twitter.com/MSgqr4ALVF

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

The turnaround efforts in the #Springfield Empowerment Zone will help these kids get the education they deserve. pic.twitter.com/yGW6ccLLim

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

@EmpowerSchools @expanding_time 4 incredible Duggan student ambassadors give @MassGovernor a meaningful school tour pic.twitter.com/yGPwKCKWlJ

— Colleen Beaudoin (@colleen_ELT) December 18, 2015

Priceless!! MT @colleen_ELT: @MassGovernor #SEZP 10th grade student asks Baker to wear a Duggan shirt with pride pic.twitter.com/c3HOghrQ5I

— Empower Schools (@EmpowerSchools) December 18, 2015

Our own Chris Gabrieli, @MassGovernor, and @MassEducation talking #SEZP this morn in #Springfield. #Schoolturnaround pic.twitter.com/PVif7JJqhv

— Empower Schools (@EmpowerSchools) December 18, 2015

Way to go, #SEZP and #Springfield Public Schools! MT @sps_mass: @MassGovernor Charlie Baker visits Duggan Acad MS pic.twitter.com/ITCaBkRYEz

— Empower Schools (@EmpowerSchools) December 18, 2015

In Springfield for Cabinet meeting@MassGovernor@MassLtGovernor@MassLWD Sec. Walker pic.twitter.com/uoxJs90Lci

— MassLWD (@MassLWD) December 18, 2015

Special @MassGov cabinet meeting in Springfield today w/planned events thru western ma pic.twitter.com/u0zi8jLqgI

— MASS HHS (@MassHHS) December 18, 2015

Great to be here at our #WMass office with @MassLtGov and the Cabinet for our weekly cabinet meeting. pic.twitter.com/DKIqIhUMAd

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

In Springfield meeting with western MA mayors & delegation @MassLWD Sec. Walker,@EricLesser pic.twitter.com/oca8cin9YK

— MassLWD (@MassLWD) December 18, 2015

Secretary Beaton is in #WesternMass with @MassGovernor @MassLtGov and cabinet for this week's cabinet meeting pic.twitter.com/9Vax7gObDc

— MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) December 18, 2015

Mayor Sarno of Springfield addresses @MassGovernor & @MassLtGov & the entire cabinet. Good partnership! pic.twitter.com/ShYEN8GJmR

— Jay Ash (@JayAshEOHED) December 18, 2015

Excited to have local #WMass officials join us & be part of the discussion of regional Administration initiatives pic.twitter.com/anmZfGpdoh

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

.@MassGovernor, Sec. Peyser and the entire cabinet after their meeting with local leaders in Springfield. #mapoli pic.twitter.com/fsLzLQmbWG

— MassEducation (@MassEducation) December 18, 2015

Just had a good meeting with @MassGovernor, our Cabinet secretaries, and numerous officials from the region. #WMass pic.twitter.com/Lylo1euxHK

— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) December 18, 2015

Great to have @MassGovernor and cabinet in #SpringfieldMA today to highlight great initiatives in #westernma #mapoli pic.twitter.com/YQbgG3b2KQ

— James Welch (@Sen_Jim_Welch) December 18, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker on visit to Springfield's Duggan Academy:It's a hell of a school https://t.co/B80mduB97a @expanding_time @EmpowerSchools

— Colleen Beaudoin (@colleen_ELT) December 18, 2015

I was joined by Chief Justice Kafker at the @SpfldSymphony to administer the Oath to Justice Jeffrey Kinder this AM. pic.twitter.com/uRJDyGSZ3T

— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) December 18, 2015

.@MassEEA Secretary Beaton in #NorthamptonMA as part of @MassGovernor #WesternMass tour, announcing PARC grants pic.twitter.com/tcjH9UvuEA

— Stephanie McFeeters (@mcfeeters) December 18, 2015

Secs Peyser @MassLWD @MassEOHED announce $9.2 million in grants. "Its about education leading to career opportunity" pic.twitter.com/6cuBUpFW3Q

— MassEducation (@MassEducation) December 18, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker touts 'very positive developments' in #WesternMA https://t.co/AhAVLYDGfb via @ShannonYoung413 pic.twitter.com/Bqur1HhACP

— Joe Deburro (@jdeburro) December 18, 2015

Another great announcement @InnovateHolyoke for @HolyokeCC Culinary and @MassGovernor $9.2m equipment grants! pic.twitter.com/rsX6MWVVfJ

— Katie Stebbins (@Ktlgs) December 18, 2015

Great to have @MassGovernor @439Westover for mission briefing. pic.twitter.com/dwf6ikoBne

— MAMilitaryTF (@MAMilitaryTF) December 18, 2015

TY to Colonel Albert Lupenski, @439Westover Wing Commander, and his leadership team for the mission update. #WMass pic.twitter.com/92wWYEvkLe

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

.@MassGovernor tours the C-5 at @439Westover #westernma pic.twitter.com/k1BbAZyVH2

— MAMilitaryTF (@MAMilitaryTF) December 18, 2015

.@MassGovernor says it's clear that @439Westover has major economic impact for #westernma pic.twitter.com/2sWAHHj6Q6

— MAMilitaryTF (@MAMilitaryTF) December 18, 2015

.@MassDev CEO Marty Jones mentions new economic studies that show MA bases contribute $13B, 57K jobs to economy pic.twitter.com/eqPC77goMB

— MAMilitaryTF (@MAMilitaryTF) December 18, 2015

.@mamilitarytf is doing great work improving @439Westover; the base’s impact: 3,795 dir/indir jobs & $323M generated pic.twitter.com/vwp2XgjIgF

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

Governor Baker, administration officials making 15 stops across WMass https://t.co/FKx89A59kz via @WWLP22News #MoreAndBetterLearningTime

— Colleen Beaudoin (@colleen_ELT) December 18, 2015

Announcing availability of $9.2M in capital funds @HCC w/ @MayorMorse @MassEducation@MassLWD pic.twitter.com/hg1waJbl77

— MassLWD (@MassLWD) December 18, 2015

TY @MassEducation and @MassGovernor for visiting @SPS_Mass & #SEZP. Duggan is a great example of what can happen in an Empowered school.

— Empower Schools (@EmpowerSchools) December 18, 2015

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker toured Westover Dec.18. Col. Al Lupenski, 439th AW commander, hosted the… https://t.co/F2rBtSFIAX

— Westover ARB (@439Westover) December 18, 2015

Talking pathways to careers @MassLWD Sec. Walker @BerkshireWorks pic.twitter.com/TVIvsB7iFu

— MassLWD (@MassLWD) December 18, 2015

"We need a sense of urgency on the #opioid issue"- @MassGovernor at new 64 bed treatment center pic.twitter.com/CdN8VMXvAh

— MASS HHS (@MassHHS) December 18, 2015

This Greenfield site is the future home of 64 new addiction treatment beds, another tool to fight this crisis #WMass pic.twitter.com/CvHMzUtVdO

— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 18, 2015

In #Northampton, Sec. Beaton announced $6.9 mil to 23 communities for municipal parks and recreation improvements pic.twitter.com/vEYlLzpFMx

— MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) December 18, 2015

Today @MassGovernor's Workforce Skills Cabinet announced $9.2M skills capital grant round, to unlock career pathways https://t.co/jUVUVwY7vB

— MA EOHED (@MassEOHED) December 18, 2015

With today’s #WMass #CommunityCompact signings, 91 local partners are now striving to implement best practices pic.twitter.com/fRiyRIzeXO

— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) December 18, 2015

TY to North Adams, Hawley, Colrain, Leyden, Ashfield, Buckland, Montague, & Leverett officials. #CommunityCompact pic.twitter.com/ADB78Hldqo

— Karyn Polito (@MassLtGov) December 18, 2015

Today in #Northampton, Secretary Beaton presented $6.9 million in grants to 23 communities for… https://t.co/VzguErpA4r

— MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) December 18, 2015

In #Greenfield, Sec. Beaton announced the completion of the MA Local Food Action Plan to support the #MA food system pic.twitter.com/wd3gE78VJK

— MAEnergy Environment (@MassEEA) December 18, 2015

New Greenfield #treatment facility tour with @MassGovernor & Secretary Sudders today @MassHHS @lee4rep @RepPaulMark pic.twitter.com/G13FuPXHL9

— Opioid Task Force (@OpioidTaskForce) December 18, 2015

Great to tour #FranklinCounty treatment site & talk statewide efforts on #opioidcrisis w/ @MLSudders & @MassGovernor pic.twitter.com/XGXReQ9kcN

— Marisa Hebble (@marisa_108) December 19, 2015

Gov. Baker stopped in Greenfield to talk about fighting the huge opioid addiction crisis. https://t.co/VHzVzhAwjh pic.twitter.com/T4lC9lH4tI

— The Recorder (@TheRecorderNews) December 19, 2015

In Greenfield, @MassGovernor says #addiction problem needs "everyone’s full attention" https://t.co/tRw5HA8Amq pic.twitter.com/05VmDJhkBl

— DailyHampGazette (@DailyHampGaz) December 19, 2015

Tags: addiction, appeals court, cabinet, charlie baker, chicopee, community compact, daniel bennett, department of transportation, economic development, education, energy and environmental affairs, greenfield, health and human services, holyoke, housing and economic development, jay ash, karyn polito, labor and workforce development, marylou sudders, matthew beaton, north adams, northampton, ron walker, springfield, stephanie pollack, vocational education, westover, workforce skills cabinet, workforce training