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Gov. Maura Healy got right to work on her first day in office, signing an Executive Order to establish an Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience overseen by newly appointed Climate Officer Melissa Hoffer.
Healy announced his “first order of business” at his first official press conference on Friday afternoon. The press conference was held shortly after his first meeting with his cabinet members at the State Capitol as governor.
As Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and members of her cabinet stood behind her, Healy said, “It was important to the Lt. Gov. and me to take this action now because there is no time to delay.” rice field.
“The climate crisis threatens every aspect of Massachusetts: the environment, the economy, business, health, transportation, housing and infrastructure. can and will be a world leader in the fight against climate change.”
Healy said the new climate office will be tasked with “using all the resources and powers” available to her and the executive branch to advance the state’s climate goals.
Hoffer is Massachusetts’ “first-ever” climate change chief, and the state is the first to establish such a position at the ministerial level.
The Executive Order mandates Hoffer to initiate a comprehensive review of current staffing, policymaking, and resources of all ministers “to support a whole-of-government approach to addressing climate change.” owes She must present her first findings to her Healey and Driscoll within her 180 days.
Pursuant to the decree, each minister, in consultation with Hoffer, must appoint a climate officer within the relevant executive branch “responsible for implementing climate-related efforts”.
Mr. Hoffer previously served as Acting General Counsel for the EPA early in the Biden administration and was the head of Healy’s Division of Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy and Environment during the Governor’s tenure as Attorney General.
Healy also announced the reappointment of Public Safety Commissioner Terrence Reidy, who was nominated by former Gov. Charlie Baker in October 2021, saying he has a “track record of keeping our communities safe.” rice field.
Healy appointed Mike Doheny, who most recently served as General Counsel and Undersecretary of Labor, as Acting Secretary of Labor. Jennifer Maddox, undersecretary of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Communities, serves as Acting Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.
Healy has appointed Mary Beckman, formerly Director of the State Attorney General’s Office of Health Care and Fair Competition, as Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services.
According to Healy’s office, the search for labor and labor and health and human services secretaries is active and ongoing. Spokesperson Carissa Hand said Maddox would serve until permanent Yvonne Hao took over.
Hao, who has 25 years of senior management experience, will serve as Healey’s housing and economic development secretary until the two executive divisions are split, Hand said.
Hand said of Hao, “When the housing secretary bill comes through, her position will be economic development secretary.” “We appoint a secretary for housing.”
Healey also has until March to appoint a veterans service secretary. When she was asked, Healy said her administration was “working as diligently and as quickly as possible,” filling all of her vacant ministerial posts.
With the exception of Hao, Healy’s new cabinet members were sworn in before the first cabinet meeting on Friday morning.
Attendees included Hoffer, Maddox, Doheny, Reidy, Beckman, Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkovich, Secretary of Education Patrick Tatwiler, Secretary of Transportation Gina Fiandaka, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, Technology There was Jason, Secretary of Services and Security. Snyder.
Healey and Driscoll did not elaborate on what was discussed at the ministerial meeting, saying only that Driscoll was “incredibly productive” and gave attendees “a chance to get to know each other”.
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