October 5, 2025 • 29 mins
In this groundbreaking episode of Que Pasa Boston, host and executive producer Gabriela Salas delivers what has quickly become THE platform of trust for unfiltered political discourse in Massachusetts.
Governor Maura Healey sits down for her most comprehensive and candid interview to date, answering the questions that residents, community leaders, and business owners across the Commonwealth have been waiting to hear addressed.
This isn’t political theater—it’s authentic journalism where Gabriela Salas, established as the voice of the community, asks the difficult questions others won’t touch. From the Governor’s personal background and the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy to her controversial stance against President Trump’s administration, no topic is off-limits in this essential conversation.
Why this interview matters:
Gabriela has earned her reputation as the trusted voice asking what the community truly needs to know. Her unique position bridging Latino communities, business leaders, and political power creates conversations that reveal truth beyond talking points. When Gabriela asks a question, it comes directly from the people she serves daily.
Comprehensive topics explored:
Immigration & Federal Relations:
• Governor Healey’s detailed explanation of her defiance against Trump administration immigration policies
• Massachusetts’ sanctuary state protections and what they mean for families
• The Governor’s personal convictions driving her willingness to challenge federal authority
• Legal strategies protecting immigrant communities from federal enforcement
• Resources available to families facing immigration challenges
Background & Leadership Philosophy:
• The personal journey that led Maura Healey to the Governor’s office
• Formative experiences shaping her approach to governance
• Her vision for Massachusetts’ future and inclusive leadership
• Balancing state autonomy with federal cooperation
Community Impact:
• Housing crisis solutions and affordable housing initiatives
• Economic development strategies supporting small businesses
• Education priorities and addressing school safety concerns
• Mental health resources for families and children experiencing anxiety
• Support systems for working parents balancing career and family
The Business Perspective:
• How state policies impact small business owners
• Economic recovery strategies
• Workforce development and job creation initiatives
• Support for minority-owned businesses
Critical Current Issues:
• Children fearing school in the current political climate
• Parental guidance for managing children’s anxiety
• Community safety and public health priorities
• Healthcare and federal funding action plan
What sets this interview apart:
Gabriela Salas doesn’t just ask questions—she demands accountability while creating space for authentic dialogue. Her approach has established Que Pasa Boston as THE platform of trust where political leaders know they’ll face real questions from someone who genuinely understands and represents community concerns.
This conversation represents more than an interview; it’s a testament to why Gabriela has become the voice that bridges communities with power. Her ability to translate complex policy into real-world impact while holding leaders accountable has made QPB essential listening for anyone invested in Massachusetts’ future.
Whether you’re an immigrant family seeking clarity on your rights, a business owner navigating state policies, a parent concerned about your children’s wellbeing, or a community leader needing to understand gubernatorial priorities, this episode delivers the comprehensive answers you’ve been seeking.
Listen on the platform that...
Governor Maura Healey sits down for her most comprehensive and candid interview to date, answering the questions that residents, community leaders, and business owners across the Commonwealth have been waiting to hear addressed.
This isn’t political theater—it’s authentic journalism where Gabriela Salas, established as the voice of the community, asks the difficult questions others won’t touch. From the Governor’s personal background and the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy to her controversial stance against President Trump’s administration, no topic is off-limits in this essential conversation.
Why this interview matters:
Gabriela has earned her reputation as the trusted voice asking what the community truly needs to know. Her unique position bridging Latino communities, business leaders, and political power creates conversations that reveal truth beyond talking points. When Gabriela asks a question, it comes directly from the people she serves daily.
Comprehensive topics explored:
Immigration & Federal Relations:
• Governor Healey’s detailed explanation of her defiance against Trump administration immigration policies
• Massachusetts’ sanctuary state protections and what they mean for families
• The Governor’s personal convictions driving her willingness to challenge federal authority
• Legal strategies protecting immigrant communities from federal enforcement
• Resources available to families facing immigration challenges
Background & Leadership Philosophy:
• The personal journey that led Maura Healey to the Governor’s office
• Formative experiences shaping her approach to governance
• Her vision for Massachusetts’ future and inclusive leadership
• Balancing state autonomy with federal cooperation
Community Impact:
• Housing crisis solutions and affordable housing initiatives
• Economic development strategies supporting small businesses
• Education priorities and addressing school safety concerns
• Mental health resources for families and children experiencing anxiety
• Support systems for working parents balancing career and family
The Business Perspective:
• How state policies impact small business owners
• Economic recovery strategies
• Workforce development and job creation initiatives
• Support for minority-owned businesses
Critical Current Issues:
• Children fearing school in the current political climate
• Parental guidance for managing children’s anxiety
• Community safety and public health priorities
• Healthcare and federal funding action plan
What sets this interview apart:
Gabriela Salas doesn’t just ask questions—she demands accountability while creating space for authentic dialogue. Her approach has established Que Pasa Boston as THE platform of trust where political leaders know they’ll face real questions from someone who genuinely understands and represents community concerns.
This conversation represents more than an interview; it’s a testament to why Gabriela has become the voice that bridges communities with power. Her ability to translate complex policy into real-world impact while holding leaders accountable has made QPB essential listening for anyone invested in Massachusetts’ future.
Whether you’re an immigrant family seeking clarity on your rights, a business owner navigating state policies, a parent concerned about your children’s wellbeing, or a community leader needing to understand gubernatorial priorities, this episode delivers the comprehensive answers you’ve been seeking.
Listen on the platform that...
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Get us a wall Stone, M. Benitos.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I am today in all I cannot believe it still
that I have a special guest that is a graduate
from Harvard actually was born in Maryland, and she's going
to share why she is here in Boston, in Massachusetts,
how she has changed her life moving to a state
that she's actually running, and how today we're going to
(00:26):
learn to help our community do better as citizens, as
residents of one of the best states of the United States.
With us, we have our Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Heally
Mora BM Benita V.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Benida. It's so great to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us.
We had an opportunity to do a quick tour about
the offices around all the stations that we cover here,
and it's really really nice to see you interact with everybody.
You shook everyone's hand. That's impressive. That's really really heartwarming.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Well, first of all, it's so impressive how many stations
are here, and I just really appreciate everybody out there
working so hard to communicate right to the people. So
many people look to radio personalities, they trust radio personalities,
and so it was just great for me to get
the chance to be able to come by and meet everybody,
(01:19):
say thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
You've got a super cool studio too. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Well, talking about credibility, one of the things that actually
connected to you, me to you from the very beginning
was the athletism. So I was a figure skater from Mexico,
believe it or really yes, okay, and you go to
basketball on your end, right, how was that for you, Like,
how was it.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Growing up with sports?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well, you know, I was raised by a single mom.
She had five of us. I'm the oldest of five,
and one of the things she just encouraged us to
do was to play sports, study hard in school, play sports,
keep yourself busy.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Keep active, keep out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, And so I really loved sports where it's all sports,
and played basketball from the time I was little, and
it led me to playing college, and then I played
professional basketball in Europe for a few years after college, which.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Was so you are thrilled right now that you see
all the ladies thriving and then the teams that are
actually coming here and playing the Connecticut Sagna. Now.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So, when I graduated from college, there was no professional
women's basketball league in the United States, So if you
wanted to play pro, you had to go overseas, correct,
and that's what I did. Now, it's so great to
see women's sports and professional women's sports at the level
we have now where the WMA people coming from all
over to see women play, and these stadiums are full,
(02:45):
and we've got soccer, and we've got so many women's
professional sports. So I'm super excited. But for me, I
don't think i'd be governor if it weren't for sports
and my background.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I mean, you discipline, right.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Don't you just teach us so much teamwork, teamwork, working hard,
learning to set goals, and learning also what happens when
you fail? Right, You're not always going to have a
great game or a great meet or a great practice,
but you know, you also learn how to work through
that and you become more resilient as a result. So
(03:20):
I'm just I'm just so grateful that for all that
sports has.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Been, I'm so happy that you men mentioned the failure,
because I was going to go right there. For me,
the stress level when competing it was horrible. I would
used to like throw up and pass out and I
could not do it. When you are talking about failure.
It's also a learning experience. What was one of those
biggest learning experiences that you had while failing?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Well failing, you know, And I'm glad we're talking about
failure because I think not enough people talk about it.
They talk about wins, they talk about successes. But I
think a test of someone and a test of a
leader is how they do when things are hard, when
there are challenges in life. You know, for me, my
earliest challenges came when I was a little kid and
(04:09):
my dad left the family right and my mom was
raising us alone, and she went back to work as
a school nurse, and I saw her working through challenges,
and that really stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I mean later in life.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I remember when I first got a contract and I
was playing overseas and year at my very first game,
I had the ball in my hands with like a
few seconds left to go, and we were down by
one or two and I had a chance to make
the winning basket and I missed, which was hard, which
is a hard way to us dart on your shoulders
to my career over there. But you know, sort of
(04:45):
grew from that experience and became a better player and
teammate for it. But I think, you know, I think
resilience is really important right now and for people to
learn that and to learn that that you have the
ability in yourself, you know, to come through and to
work through things.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
And we all have to help each other along too.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Is that why you focused a lot on civil rights?
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
You know, I got a law school, I was a lawyer.
I was a business lawyer for a long time, trial
lawyer for a long time, and then I decided to
take a big pay cut, seventy percent pay cut, and
I left private practice, quit the big firm, and went
to the Attorney General's Office to lead the Civil Rights Division.
And I think it comes from just having a I
(05:36):
don't know. I love people, you know, and I want
fairness right, and I don't want people to be mistreated
or discriminated against because of their race, because of their religion,
because of you know, who they are, And I don't know.
To me, like growing up as a little kid, and
I mentioned my mom was a school nurse. I remember
(05:57):
the kids who got bullied. I remember the kids who
got picked on, and my mom was really clear about
you take care of those kids, you stand up for them,
and you know, I just It's something that became part
of like what I believe deeply, and so as a
civil rights lawyer, you know, that was a chance to
go out and protect against discrimination and to stand up
(06:20):
for people's rights.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
How has it been because in this show we get
a lot of emails, and our whole mission is to
educate and provide tools and resources to our community. I
have experienced as a woman in a leadership position some
challenges I cannot even imagine. As governor, how is it
(06:43):
for you as a woman to run a state with
so much wealth and risks and also targets and challenges.
How is it for you, Maura? You know, stepping into
that office and saying this is me. It's on my responsibility,
my accountability if something goes wrong or if something goes right.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, I definitely feel that responsibility. I mean I put
my hand up to run for this job. I love
my job.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
I love being governor, and yes, with it comes a
lot of responsibility. I oversee about fifty thousand state employees.
That's a lot who are working out there across the state.
I've got a budget of about sixty billion dollars to manage,
and my job is to be a really good CEO
and leader for our state. And I think in today's environment,
(07:38):
anybody who's in political office you have to get used
to the criticism. Not everybody's going to agree with what
you do or say. But you know, I feel comfortable
knowing if I've made the very best judgment that I can,
if I've heard from all the people and I've taken
in all the information. Facts right, I have your facts,
(08:00):
and I'm here to make the best call that I can.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
I feel very comfortable with that.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I'm glad that I was also Attorney general for eight years,
and I think that experience really helps me be a
better governor because, you know, the things that I'm trying
to push on today are you know, things that I'm
trying to make happen statewide, because you know, when I
was Attorney General, I was the people's lawyer. As governor,
you know you were, you were the leader for the state.
(08:24):
And I view my mission every day as how do
I make life better, more affordable, improve the quality of
life for residents around Massachusetts.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
So we're talking about the challenges that comes with the
job as Attorney General. I don't think that anyone, or
if ever you thought that you were going to be
ruling a state under the ambious and circumstances that we
have today. Patriots to a point zero, it's incredible for
(09:00):
Oza's immigrants and Latinos in my case, to see what's
happening in our surrounding areas. What is it like for
you in your shoes.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
It's really painful, It's really heartbreaking to see what the
Trump administration has been doing to our communities. I mean,
Donald Trump has made cuts to food for babies, heating
assistance for seniors, He's made cuts to housing, He's made
cuts to healthcare services for our veterans, and so you
(09:35):
just see all these things happening that are so harmful
to people in our state, frankly Americans around this country.
And then you also see this attack on immigrant communities.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
And you know, I'm from a family of immigrants.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
My grandparents came here from other countries and build a life.
And you know, here I am today governor of this
great state of and you know, the American story is
the immigrant story. And you know, I what I'm seeing
that is so heartbreaking is the number of people who
(10:11):
have been taken out of our communities who are landscapers,
and construction workers, and nannies and healthcare aids, people who
have been living here for years, decades, sometimes paying taxes,
raising their kids, contributing to the good of our communities
and all of that taken away. And you know, it
(10:32):
makes no sense. And I've said, look, I was a prosecutor.
I'm all about going after bad guys, going after violent criminals,
taking them off our streets, taking them out of our communities.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
I support that.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
What I don't support, though, are efforts by ICE agents
to park their car outside churches or childcare centers, or
to do other things that you know, the idea that
you're you're ripping people from our streets.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Kids. The other day we had.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
A young sixteen year old boy with disabilities who was
taken by ICE. Right, we have had parents taken from
their cars in front of their young kids. I mean,
this is so sad, This is traumatic, and you know,
we continue to call on the Trump administration to stop this.
You know what Donald Trump should do. He should work
(11:24):
with Congress right now and do immigration reform so we
have a pathway to citizenship and so that we have
the right measures in place. Instead, you know, he's just
it seems to be. This is all about intimidation, about fear.
And here's what's also so sad to me as governor,
(11:44):
because people are afraid. We've got kids who are not
going to school, We've got people who aren't going to
doctor's appointments or seeking care. We've got people who are
really really struggling. And you know, it's a terrible and
challenge time right now for our immigrant communities. My office
is doing a lot to support our immigrant communities. We
(12:07):
are with helping families out right now who may have
lost a breadwinner from their family. We work a lot
with our immigrant advocacy organizations on funding and it's just
so hard.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
That's what you are doing as far as the government's side.
But as a community, how can we help you? What
can we do to help you defend us and protect
us and at the same time staying prepared if anything
happens to us.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Look, I think that we have to continue to be
in communication. I've encouraged communication between law enforcement and community organizations,
and in fact, much of that has worked very very well.
The relationship between local law enforcement and our immigrant communities
across Massachusetts has worked very well. What hasn't worked well
(13:00):
is ice agents coming in from all around the country
to our Massachusetts communities and not giving people due process.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Massed agents. We don't know who they are.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Which the governor of California just passes aside the law.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
How about us? Are you thinking about doing it something?
It's something we're thinking about right now. My focus is
on how do I make sure I'm protecting public safety.
How do I make sure that our immigrant families and
community organizations know who to call when they see something
unlawful happening in their community. I'm working to support the
(13:36):
efforts to make sure that people understand that they can,
for example, film and document and tell the stories.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
How can you help you ask? I think it's really.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Important for people to continue to tell the story of
what's happening in our immigrant communities right now. I mean,
we have one and a half million people that we
lost in unemployment just the last few months, and I
see the devastating effect on farmers now across the country
who don't have work, don't have a work force. You
see what's happened in some of the factory rates. This
(14:07):
doesn't make sense economically to our country. And again, if
it were about public safety totally either Yeah, and I
always say, if it's about public safety, every community wants
public safety, including immigrant communities. But instead what we're seeing
is a threat by Steven Miller and the Trump administration
to create fear and anxiety and in doing so a
(14:30):
lot of harm.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
How about schools and our children?
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Me as a mother, I was actually taking my daughter
to school, to Boston Arts Academy, and she's like, great school.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yes, she was saying, Mom, I feel scared. What if
something happens. I don't want to put my phone away
because now they're taking the phones and put them in pouches.
And she said, what if something happens, I don't want
to be away from my phone. I don't remember going
to school feeling that fear.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
What can you tell that?
Speaker 3 (15:00):
What you tell your daughter that you know, our office
in the Attorney General's Office have trained educators, have trained
teachers and school staff about how to deal with ice.
We've also trained people at our community health centers and
the likes. So you know, I want to say to people,
don't be afraid in school, don't be afraid going to
the doctor.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
But I also understand people's fear.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
When we've had people like a college student just taken
off the street, you know, without notice, without due process,
without any justification. We later learned she simply signed an
op ed in a college newspaper.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
When we have a sixteen.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Year old taken off the street on his way to
volleyball practice having done nothing wrong. I understand people's fear,
but we're just going to kind of going to continue
to communicate with our organizations. I think it's important that
people find ways to also document what's happening. Share that
information with a low police, share that information with the
(16:02):
Attorney General's office, and with my office, because we need
to tell the story of the harm out there and
hope that that will get the Trump administration to see
that what they're doing is really, really destructive.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
And I think.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Also for us, we need to have communication internally within
our family circle and also share a plan, right like
an emergency number, an emergency word that we can tell
you at home. Need to start having those conversations, as
harsh as they are. You need to prepare your children
and know that we're in a state compared to others
(16:38):
that are really protecting us. And we thank you, obviously
for all the work that our departments are doing and
I've had several secretaries here of the early education and
public health. We've noticed also mentally how deficient it will
be if we continue to lose funds for our family members,
(17:01):
especially after the pandemic all the consequences that happened, because
it's a domino effect, right, where can we go from there?
Are our psychologists and therapists aware of these circumstances, and
how can we help them too.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
I was talking to a pediatrician the other day, and
she sees a number of patients from immigrant families in
Greater Boston, and she talked about little kids who are
showing up with such high levels of anxiety constipation.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
They're so stressed out, and isn't that heartbreaking? It's heartbreaking.
That's why.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
That's why I want people to know. Okay, as I
go around the state and I hear from so many people.
People in Massachusetts support our immigrant families, They support immigrants,
and they understand, you know, and feel a lot of
pain at what we're witnessing right now.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
And you know, if it.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Were about law enforcement and public safety, i'd say all
in support that, but unfortunately this is not what it's
been about at all, And so we need to continue
to encourage people to fund these organizations that are providing
food and housing and clothing and assistance. There's a lot
of ways to volunteer and get involved with families who
(18:20):
are really suffering right now, and I've encouraged people to
do that. And meanwhile, we're going to continue to train
people on their rights. But you know, it's certainly a
time where people need to look after one another.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah, and especially now that you touch the subject on housing,
you have several programs and I've seen some changes, steal
a lot of work to do.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
How can we get ahead?
Speaker 2 (18:44):
There's so much going on and the prices keep increasing
and you can see it, you can feel it, right, Yeah,
But this is what this is why leadership matters, Okay.
And what I've done as governor is come in and say,
you know what, housing is my number one priority. We
don't have enough reasonably priced homes, affordable homes for people
(19:04):
in Massachusetts, and I am trying to change that. When
I started as governor, we estimated that we were about
two hundred and twenty thousand homes short of where we
needed to be, and I immediately wrote and filed and
signed a lot to invest four billion dollars into housing,
(19:25):
to make changes to policy to build homes more quickly.
And as a result of that work that I've done,
we've now got one hundred thousand homes being built. We
have more to do, a lot more to do, but
you know, it's it's really important to me because people
can't afford homes to purchase, they can't afford rent.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
I recently got rid of broker's fees. I know read
speaking about us. That's great, and it's also I.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Mean, like I think that it's very important for our
community to understand what does that mean. You have to
ask the right questions so the right people not just
sign contracts without reading. And also, you know, the broker's
fee is not that you're not going to pay somebody
that is helping you. It's actually for the landlord, right,
that's what wants to send you that bill, and you making,
(20:16):
you know, taking care of that.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
No tenant, no renter, should have to pay a broker's stay.
We've also done things like you can build now accessory
dwelling units or an in law apartment as a matter
of right. You can just do that now, and that's
going to bring more homes online.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
That's when we.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Gave tax credits to developers to build more homes around
the state, particularly in some of our cities and gateway cities.
And I recently offered up access state land. We have
some surplus land that we're not using. Let's build homes
on that land. So you know, I know how hard
people work. And you know, if you're working, and you're
(20:52):
working sometimes multiple jobs, and you cannot afford rent, that's
wrong in this country.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Well, never mind rent in the car, insurance and everything.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
That which is why you know, for me, the areas
that I'm focused on driving down costs your housing bills,
your housing costs, your energy electricity, heating bills, and your
healthcare costs. Those are the areas that I'm really focused
on driving down. And you know, I also want to say,
you know, there's a lot of good things going for
us as a state. I'm glad you've had my secretaries
(21:22):
on our new our new secretary of education.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Love it.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Yes again, I knew Pedro Martinez familiar name.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Yes, yes, you know, wonderful.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
We are making huge investments in childcare, in early education
and childcare. We're making huge investments in Cada twelve, and
I'm excited about that. A whole program my college free college,
free college, which is great, right go to college, you know,
up your skill and get out and get after the
career that you has given.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
So much opportunity to all lot of people, especially adults
that have had that dream and they didn't have the
means because either they support their family or they pay
for school.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
They couldn't afford it. You know what we did too.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Not only did we make community college free, we also
are giving stipends to students.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Because to students.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Because they need gas money, food money, sometimes childcare money
in order to be able to take these classes. So
it's not good enough to just make community college free.
You have to make it so that students can. Actually,
I'm so glad you're stay in our school, finish the program,
get that certificate, get that degree, and get that job.
(22:32):
That's going to give them and their family economic mobility.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
And that's why we did it.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Well, economic mobility. And also I believe that now with
the twenty twenty six year that we are facing, lot's
happening to fiftieth anniversary of the United States. The World
Cup is coming to Boston. We're super excited here at
my show. I want to know how can we help
(22:57):
our community maximize and capitalize from those opportunities. Infrastructure is
going to have to move somehow and develop.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
What can we do well.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
I just want to say that the Latino community is
on the move in Massachusetts. There is no community that
is growing at a faster rate than the Latino community
in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Thanks for acknowledging that. It's so exciting.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
And when I think about the number of entrepreneurs and
business owners and people who are creating jobs and powering
our economy, I look at the vibrancy of the Latino
community and I just want people to know that I love.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Our Latino community.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And by the way, it is so diverse, right, I mean,
we have people from all over who bring wonderful skills
and talents, and we want to support that. I've got
something called the Business front Door. So if you're a
small business owner, go to our website, look at Business
front Door and see how there are government programs that
(23:58):
can help you as an entrepreneur, you as a school.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
The same as the certificates that we are able to
get as minorities.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Different that's another program. I'm talking this is available to
everyone in the state. Every small business owner go online
and see, you know, there are all sorts of programs
that can help you scale your business, grow your business.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I'm really excited about that.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
I also for business owners, I recently cut a number
of regulations. We wanted to be cheaper to do business.
We want it to be easier to do business, so
you know, we're trying to support that. But I'm really
excited with the investments that we're making in education, in
our vocational schools, in our traditional high schools, in our
colleges and universities. I'm excited about our workforce investments that
(24:41):
we're making. And you know, I look at the Latino
community and it's super exciting. I also remind people too,
we're talking about immigration. Over half of the companies in
this country are started by people who were born outside
of the United States and they come here, they study here,
they do research here. I mean, Massachusetts is home to
(25:01):
so many world leading innovations, Nobel Prize warners, right.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
And you know.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
One thing that's bothered me about the Trump administration is
he's cut funding for research and medical research and cures
and treatments. And you know, we are making a big
effort to fund that because it's a reason why people
come to Massachusetts.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
It's funny that you say that. Not funny, but it's
actually interesting because you know, Daverities and I have that
nonprofit innovation hub. It's and that's what we are looking for,
giving opportunity to talented Latinos Dominicus International.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
That's why it's International Innovation.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Hub, to bring all that research and ideas to establish
in Massachusetts and to bring back to their communities also
what they learn at MIT or some of.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
These huge colleges that we have here.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
But with the costs of funding, with the cuts of
also having students enter into the area internationally, it's very challenging.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It is, and that's why I've proposed four hundred million dollars.
We're going to use it to fund research, medical research, discovery, innovation,
and it's going to be a way to keep people
here in Massachusetts. And with people keeping staying here in Massachusetts,
that's going to attract more capital, more business to Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And you know, this is what we need to do.
I'm proud of our state.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
You mentioned two hundred and fifty years you know, we're
the state that had the first school in the entire country,
the first university in the entire country, and so continuing
to make we have to keep celebrating and education. Oh yeah,
we're going to celebrate all year. But I can't wait
for World Cup. It's going to be like having seven
Super Bowls in a week. It's going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
And that's just think about it.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Four hundred and fifty million dollars just in forty five days.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
I know, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
It's also why we're working really hard on our infrastructure, transportation,
the tea filling great general manager doing great work. By
the way, the Tea has extended hours now late night
hours through the weekends, which you know, talk about vibrancy.
We want people to be able to get into Boston,
out of Boston, enjoy all that the city has to offer,
(27:18):
and be able to do that later into the evening.
It's good for our local economy. So we've made that
available on the tea.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
We are so happy to have you here in Massachusetts
running our beautiful state and also here at kit Basa Ballston.
Governor Mora Heally, I am so thankful again for the time.
What message can you leave our children and our parents
in the Latino community.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Well, my message is I want people to have hope.
Massachusetts is a great state. You're living in the greatest
state in the country. You're living in a state that
values you, that sees you, that wants you to make
the most of the opportunities that you have and not
let anything get in the way. And you know, we're
here to support you with the kinds of investments that
(28:02):
we make. And I also want people to feel joy.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Joy, you know, and it's let's go a dance and
in downtown.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
You know what I think it's I'm not kidding. I
think it's so important right now because you know, people
get depressed and they're down in the news cycle and
you know, and the and then you see violence and
shootings right and say, day after day after day, and
people wonder what is.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
Going on in our world? You know what the world
is your community.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Engage in your community acts of kindness every day, Smile
at people, talk to people, say hello, let's create our
own joy and happiness. And and with that, you know
that positivity that that feeds on itself. And that's my
message to kids is you know, not only you're in
the greatest state in the country, but we're going to
do everything to make sure that you have all the
(28:47):
opportunity that you can possibly have.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Thank you so much, yet us having me Hend David.
Remember to download that iHeart app and continue to select
Get Us All Boston as your favorite podcast. We're here
at continue to give you and provide your resources and
tools to better your life and be a better community.
Thank you again everybody for listening. See you next week.
Get us a wall Stone, M. Benitos.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I am today in all I cannot believe it still
that I have a special guest that is a graduate
from Harvard actually was born in Maryland, and she's going
to share why she is here in Boston, in Massachusetts,
how she has changed her life moving to a state
that she's actually running, and how today we're going to
(00:26):
learn to help our community do better as citizens, as
residents of one of the best states of the United States.
With us, we have our Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Heally
Mora BM Benita V.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Benida. It's so great to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us.
We had an opportunity to do a quick tour about
the offices around all the stations that we cover here,
and it's really really nice to see you interact with everybody.
You shook everyone's hand. That's impressive. That's really really heartwarming.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Well, first of all, it's so impressive how many stations
are here, and I just really appreciate everybody out there
working so hard to communicate right to the people. So
many people look to radio personalities, they trust radio personalities,
and so it was just great for me to get
the chance to be able to come by and meet everybody,
(01:19):
say thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
You've got a super cool studio too. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Well, talking about credibility, one of the things that actually
connected to you, me to you from the very beginning
was the athletism. So I was a figure skater from Mexico,
believe it or really yes, okay, and you go to
basketball on your end, right, how was that for you, Like,
how was it.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Growing up with sports?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Well, you know, I was raised by a single mom.
She had five of us. I'm the oldest of five,
and one of the things she just encouraged us to
do was to play sports, study hard in school, play sports,
keep yourself busy.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Keep active, keep out of trouble.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, And so I really loved sports where it's all sports,
and played basketball from the time I was little, and
it led me to playing college, and then I played
professional basketball in Europe for a few years after college, which.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Was so you are thrilled right now that you see
all the ladies thriving and then the teams that are
actually coming here and playing the Connecticut Sagna. Now.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
So, when I graduated from college, there was no professional
women's basketball league in the United States, So if you
wanted to play pro, you had to go overseas, correct,
and that's what I did. Now, it's so great to
see women's sports and professional women's sports at the level
we have now where the WMA people coming from all
over to see women play, and these stadiums are full,
(02:45):
and we've got soccer, and we've got so many women's
professional sports. So I'm super excited. But for me, I
don't think i'd be governor if it weren't for sports
and my background.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
I mean, you discipline, right.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Don't you just teach us so much teamwork, teamwork, working hard,
learning to set goals, and learning also what happens when
you fail? Right, You're not always going to have a
great game or a great meet or a great practice,
but you know, you also learn how to work through
that and you become more resilient as a result. So
(03:20):
I'm just I'm just so grateful that for all that
sports has.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Been, I'm so happy that you men mentioned the failure,
because I was going to go right there. For me,
the stress level when competing it was horrible. I would
used to like throw up and pass out and I
could not do it. When you are talking about failure.
It's also a learning experience. What was one of those
biggest learning experiences that you had while failing?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Well failing, you know, And I'm glad we're talking about
failure because I think not enough people talk about it.
They talk about wins, they talk about successes. But I
think a test of someone and a test of a
leader is how they do when things are hard, when
there are challenges in life. You know, for me, my
earliest challenges came when I was a little kid and
(04:09):
my dad left the family right and my mom was
raising us alone, and she went back to work as
a school nurse, and I saw her working through challenges,
and that really stuck with me.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I mean later in life.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I remember when I first got a contract and I
was playing overseas and year at my very first game,
I had the ball in my hands with like a
few seconds left to go, and we were down by
one or two and I had a chance to make
the winning basket and I missed, which was hard, which
is a hard way to us dart on your shoulders
to my career over there. But you know, sort of
(04:45):
grew from that experience and became a better player and
teammate for it. But I think, you know, I think
resilience is really important right now and for people to
learn that and to learn that that you have the
ability in yourself, you know, to come through and to
work through things.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
And we all have to help each other along too.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Is that why you focused a lot on civil rights?
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
You know, I got a law school, I was a lawyer.
I was a business lawyer for a long time, trial
lawyer for a long time, and then I decided to
take a big pay cut, seventy percent pay cut, and
I left private practice, quit the big firm, and went
to the Attorney General's Office to lead the Civil Rights Division.
And I think it comes from just having a I
(05:36):
don't know. I love people, you know, and I want
fairness right, and I don't want people to be mistreated
or discriminated against because of their race, because of their religion,
because of you know, who they are, And I don't know.
To me, like growing up as a little kid, and
I mentioned my mom was a school nurse. I remember
(05:57):
the kids who got bullied. I remember the kids who
got picked on, and my mom was really clear about
you take care of those kids, you stand up for them,
and you know, I just It's something that became part
of like what I believe deeply, and so as a
civil rights lawyer, you know, that was a chance to
go out and protect against discrimination and to stand up
(06:20):
for people's rights.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
How has it been because in this show we get
a lot of emails, and our whole mission is to
educate and provide tools and resources to our community. I
have experienced as a woman in a leadership position some
challenges I cannot even imagine. As governor, how is it
(06:43):
for you as a woman to run a state with
so much wealth and risks and also targets and challenges.
How is it for you, Maura? You know, stepping into
that office and saying this is me. It's on my responsibility,
my accountability if something goes wrong or if something goes right.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Yeah, I definitely feel that responsibility. I mean I put
my hand up to run for this job. I love
my job.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
I love being governor, and yes, with it comes a
lot of responsibility. I oversee about fifty thousand state employees.
That's a lot who are working out there across the state.
I've got a budget of about sixty billion dollars to manage,
and my job is to be a really good CEO
and leader for our state. And I think in today's environment,
(07:38):
anybody who's in political office you have to get used
to the criticism. Not everybody's going to agree with what
you do or say. But you know, I feel comfortable
knowing if I've made the very best judgment that I can,
if I've heard from all the people and I've taken
in all the information. Facts right, I have your facts,
(08:00):
and I'm here to make the best call that I can.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
I feel very comfortable with that.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I'm glad that I was also Attorney general for eight years,
and I think that experience really helps me be a
better governor because, you know, the things that I'm trying
to push on today are you know, things that I'm
trying to make happen statewide, because you know, when I
was Attorney General, I was the people's lawyer. As governor,
you know you were, you were the leader for the state.
(08:24):
And I view my mission every day as how do
I make life better, more affordable, improve the quality of
life for residents around Massachusetts.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
So we're talking about the challenges that comes with the
job as Attorney General. I don't think that anyone, or
if ever you thought that you were going to be
ruling a state under the ambious and circumstances that we
have today. Patriots to a point zero, it's incredible for
(09:00):
Oza's immigrants and Latinos in my case, to see what's
happening in our surrounding areas. What is it like for
you in your shoes.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
It's really painful, It's really heartbreaking to see what the
Trump administration has been doing to our communities. I mean,
Donald Trump has made cuts to food for babies, heating
assistance for seniors, He's made cuts to housing, He's made
cuts to healthcare services for our veterans, and so you
(09:35):
just see all these things happening that are so harmful
to people in our state, frankly Americans around this country.
And then you also see this attack on immigrant communities.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
And you know, I'm from a family of immigrants.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
My grandparents came here from other countries and build a life.
And you know, here I am today governor of this
great state of and you know, the American story is
the immigrant story. And you know, I what I'm seeing
that is so heartbreaking is the number of people who
(10:11):
have been taken out of our communities who are landscapers,
and construction workers, and nannies and healthcare aids, people who
have been living here for years, decades, sometimes paying taxes,
raising their kids, contributing to the good of our communities
and all of that taken away. And you know, it
(10:32):
makes no sense. And I've said, look, I was a prosecutor.
I'm all about going after bad guys, going after violent criminals,
taking them off our streets, taking them out of our communities.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
I support that.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
What I don't support, though, are efforts by ICE agents
to park their car outside churches or childcare centers, or
to do other things that you know, the idea that
you're you're ripping people from our streets.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
Kids. The other day we had.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
A young sixteen year old boy with disabilities who was
taken by ICE. Right, we have had parents taken from
their cars in front of their young kids. I mean,
this is so sad, This is traumatic, and you know,
we continue to call on the Trump administration to stop this.
You know what Donald Trump should do. He should work
(11:24):
with Congress right now and do immigration reform so we
have a pathway to citizenship and so that we have
the right measures in place. Instead, you know, he's just
it seems to be. This is all about intimidation, about fear.
And here's what's also so sad to me as governor,
(11:44):
because people are afraid. We've got kids who are not
going to school, We've got people who aren't going to
doctor's appointments or seeking care. We've got people who are
really really struggling. And you know, it's a terrible and
challenge time right now for our immigrant communities. My office
is doing a lot to support our immigrant communities. We
(12:07):
are with helping families out right now who may have
lost a breadwinner from their family. We work a lot
with our immigrant advocacy organizations on funding and it's just
so hard.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
That's what you are doing as far as the government's side.
But as a community, how can we help you? What
can we do to help you defend us and protect
us and at the same time staying prepared if anything
happens to us.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Look, I think that we have to continue to be
in communication. I've encouraged communication between law enforcement and community organizations,
and in fact, much of that has worked very very well.
The relationship between local law enforcement and our immigrant communities
across Massachusetts has worked very well. What hasn't worked well
(13:00):
is ice agents coming in from all around the country
to our Massachusetts communities and not giving people due process.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Massed agents. We don't know who they are.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Which the governor of California just passes aside the law.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
How about us? Are you thinking about doing it something?
It's something we're thinking about right now. My focus is
on how do I make sure I'm protecting public safety.
How do I make sure that our immigrant families and
community organizations know who to call when they see something
unlawful happening in their community. I'm working to support the
(13:36):
efforts to make sure that people understand that they can,
for example, film and document and tell the stories.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
How can you help you ask? I think it's really.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
Important for people to continue to tell the story of
what's happening in our immigrant communities right now. I mean,
we have one and a half million people that we
lost in unemployment just the last few months, and I
see the devastating effect on farmers now across the country
who don't have work, don't have a work force. You
see what's happened in some of the factory rates. This
(14:07):
doesn't make sense economically to our country. And again, if
it were about public safety totally either Yeah, and I
always say, if it's about public safety, every community wants
public safety, including immigrant communities. But instead what we're seeing
is a threat by Steven Miller and the Trump administration
to create fear and anxiety and in doing so a
(14:30):
lot of harm.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
How about schools and our children?
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Me as a mother, I was actually taking my daughter
to school, to Boston Arts Academy, and she's like, great school.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yes, she was saying, Mom, I feel scared. What if
something happens. I don't want to put my phone away
because now they're taking the phones and put them in pouches.
And she said, what if something happens, I don't want
to be away from my phone. I don't remember going
to school feeling that fear.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
What can you tell that?
Speaker 3 (15:00):
What you tell your daughter that you know, our office
in the Attorney General's Office have trained educators, have trained
teachers and school staff about how to deal with ice.
We've also trained people at our community health centers and
the likes. So you know, I want to say to people,
don't be afraid in school, don't be afraid going to
the doctor.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
But I also understand people's fear.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
When we've had people like a college student just taken
off the street, you know, without notice, without due process,
without any justification. We later learned she simply signed an
op ed in a college newspaper.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
When we have a sixteen.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Year old taken off the street on his way to
volleyball practice having done nothing wrong. I understand people's fear,
but we're just going to kind of going to continue
to communicate with our organizations. I think it's important that
people find ways to also document what's happening. Share that
information with a low police, share that information with the
(16:02):
Attorney General's office, and with my office, because we need
to tell the story of the harm out there and
hope that that will get the Trump administration to see
that what they're doing is really, really destructive.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
And I think.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Also for us, we need to have communication internally within
our family circle and also share a plan, right like
an emergency number, an emergency word that we can tell
you at home. Need to start having those conversations, as
harsh as they are. You need to prepare your children
and know that we're in a state compared to others
(16:38):
that are really protecting us. And we thank you, obviously
for all the work that our departments are doing and
I've had several secretaries here of the early education and
public health. We've noticed also mentally how deficient it will
be if we continue to lose funds for our family members,
(17:01):
especially after the pandemic all the consequences that happened, because
it's a domino effect, right, where can we go from there?
Are our psychologists and therapists aware of these circumstances, and
how can we help them too.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
I was talking to a pediatrician the other day, and
she sees a number of patients from immigrant families in
Greater Boston, and she talked about little kids who are
showing up with such high levels of anxiety constipation.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
They're so stressed out, and isn't that heartbreaking? It's heartbreaking.
That's why.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
That's why I want people to know. Okay, as I
go around the state and I hear from so many people.
People in Massachusetts support our immigrant families, They support immigrants,
and they understand, you know, and feel a lot of
pain at what we're witnessing right now.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
And you know, if it.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
Were about law enforcement and public safety, i'd say all
in support that, but unfortunately this is not what it's
been about at all, And so we need to continue
to encourage people to fund these organizations that are providing
food and housing and clothing and assistance. There's a lot
of ways to volunteer and get involved with families who
(18:20):
are really suffering right now, and I've encouraged people to
do that. And meanwhile, we're going to continue to train
people on their rights. But you know, it's certainly a
time where people need to look after one another.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Yeah, and especially now that you touch the subject on housing,
you have several programs and I've seen some changes, steal
a lot of work to do.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
How can we get ahead?
Speaker 2 (18:44):
There's so much going on and the prices keep increasing
and you can see it, you can feel it, right, Yeah,
But this is what this is why leadership matters, Okay.
And what I've done as governor is come in and say,
you know what, housing is my number one priority. We
don't have enough reasonably priced homes, affordable homes for people
(19:04):
in Massachusetts, and I am trying to change that. When
I started as governor, we estimated that we were about
two hundred and twenty thousand homes short of where we
needed to be, and I immediately wrote and filed and
signed a lot to invest four billion dollars into housing,
(19:25):
to make changes to policy to build homes more quickly.
And as a result of that work that I've done,
we've now got one hundred thousand homes being built. We
have more to do, a lot more to do, but
you know, it's it's really important to me because people
can't afford homes to purchase, they can't afford rent.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
I recently got rid of broker's fees. I know read
speaking about us. That's great, and it's also I.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
Mean, like I think that it's very important for our
community to understand what does that mean. You have to
ask the right questions so the right people not just
sign contracts without reading. And also, you know, the broker's
fee is not that you're not going to pay somebody
that is helping you. It's actually for the landlord, right,
that's what wants to send you that bill, and you making,
(20:16):
you know, taking care of that.
Speaker 1 (20:17):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
No tenant, no renter, should have to pay a broker's stay.
We've also done things like you can build now accessory
dwelling units or an in law apartment as a matter
of right. You can just do that now, and that's
going to bring more homes online.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
That's when we.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Gave tax credits to developers to build more homes around
the state, particularly in some of our cities and gateway cities.
And I recently offered up access state land. We have
some surplus land that we're not using. Let's build homes
on that land. So you know, I know how hard
people work. And you know, if you're working, and you're
(20:52):
working sometimes multiple jobs, and you cannot afford rent, that's
wrong in this country.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Well, never mind rent in the car, insurance and everything.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
That which is why you know, for me, the areas
that I'm focused on driving down costs your housing bills,
your housing costs, your energy electricity, heating bills, and your
healthcare costs. Those are the areas that I'm really focused
on driving down. And you know, I also want to say,
you know, there's a lot of good things going for
us as a state. I'm glad you've had my secretaries
(21:22):
on our new our new secretary of education.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
Love it.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Yes again, I knew Pedro Martinez familiar name.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Yes, yes, you know, wonderful.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
We are making huge investments in childcare, in early education
and childcare. We're making huge investments in Cada twelve, and
I'm excited about that. A whole program my college free college,
free college, which is great, right go to college, you know,
up your skill and get out and get after the
career that you has given.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
So much opportunity to all lot of people, especially adults
that have had that dream and they didn't have the
means because either they support their family or they pay
for school.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
They couldn't afford it. You know what we did too.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Not only did we make community college free, we also
are giving stipends to students.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Because to students.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Because they need gas money, food money, sometimes childcare money
in order to be able to take these classes. So
it's not good enough to just make community college free.
You have to make it so that students can. Actually,
I'm so glad you're stay in our school, finish the program,
get that certificate, get that degree, and get that job.
(22:32):
That's going to give them and their family economic mobility.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
And that's why we did it.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Well, economic mobility. And also I believe that now with
the twenty twenty six year that we are facing, lot's
happening to fiftieth anniversary of the United States. The World
Cup is coming to Boston. We're super excited here at
my show. I want to know how can we help
(22:57):
our community maximize and capitalize from those opportunities. Infrastructure is
going to have to move somehow and develop.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
What can we do well.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
I just want to say that the Latino community is
on the move in Massachusetts. There is no community that
is growing at a faster rate than the Latino community
in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Thanks for acknowledging that. It's so exciting.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
And when I think about the number of entrepreneurs and
business owners and people who are creating jobs and powering
our economy, I look at the vibrancy of the Latino
community and I just want people to know that I love.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Our Latino community.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And by the way, it is so diverse, right, I mean,
we have people from all over who bring wonderful skills
and talents, and we want to support that. I've got
something called the Business front Door. So if you're a
small business owner, go to our website, look at Business
front Door and see how there are government programs that
(23:58):
can help you as an entrepreneur, you as a school.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
The same as the certificates that we are able to
get as minorities.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
Different that's another program. I'm talking this is available to
everyone in the state. Every small business owner go online
and see, you know, there are all sorts of programs
that can help you scale your business, grow your business.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I'm really excited about that.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
I also for business owners, I recently cut a number
of regulations. We wanted to be cheaper to do business.
We want it to be easier to do business, so
you know, we're trying to support that. But I'm really
excited with the investments that we're making in education, in
our vocational schools, in our traditional high schools, in our
colleges and universities. I'm excited about our workforce investments that
(24:41):
we're making. And you know, I look at the Latino
community and it's super exciting. I also remind people too,
we're talking about immigration. Over half of the companies in
this country are started by people who were born outside
of the United States and they come here, they study here,
they do research here. I mean, Massachusetts is home to
(25:01):
so many world leading innovations, Nobel Prize warners, right.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
And you know.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
One thing that's bothered me about the Trump administration is
he's cut funding for research and medical research and cures
and treatments. And you know, we are making a big
effort to fund that because it's a reason why people
come to Massachusetts.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
It's funny that you say that. Not funny, but it's
actually interesting because you know, Daverities and I have that
nonprofit innovation hub. It's and that's what we are looking for,
giving opportunity to talented Latinos Dominicus International.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
That's why it's International Innovation.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Hub, to bring all that research and ideas to establish
in Massachusetts and to bring back to their communities also
what they learn at MIT or some of.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
These huge colleges that we have here.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
But with the costs of funding, with the cuts of
also having students enter into the area internationally, it's very challenging.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
It is, and that's why I've proposed four hundred million dollars.
We're going to use it to fund research, medical research, discovery, innovation,
and it's going to be a way to keep people
here in Massachusetts. And with people keeping staying here in Massachusetts,
that's going to attract more capital, more business to Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
And you know, this is what we need to do.
I'm proud of our state.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
You mentioned two hundred and fifty years you know, we're
the state that had the first school in the entire country,
the first university in the entire country, and so continuing
to make we have to keep celebrating and education. Oh yeah,
we're going to celebrate all year. But I can't wait
for World Cup. It's going to be like having seven
Super Bowls in a week. It's going to be amazing.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
And that's just think about it.
Speaker 2 (26:51):
Four hundred and fifty million dollars just in forty five days.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
I know, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
It's also why we're working really hard on our infrastructure, transportation,
the tea filling great general manager doing great work. By
the way, the Tea has extended hours now late night
hours through the weekends, which you know, talk about vibrancy.
We want people to be able to get into Boston,
out of Boston, enjoy all that the city has to offer,
(27:18):
and be able to do that later into the evening.
It's good for our local economy. So we've made that
available on the tea.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
We are so happy to have you here in Massachusetts
running our beautiful state and also here at kit Basa Ballston.
Governor Mora Heally, I am so thankful again for the time.
What message can you leave our children and our parents
in the Latino community.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Well, my message is I want people to have hope.
Massachusetts is a great state. You're living in the greatest
state in the country. You're living in a state that
values you, that sees you, that wants you to make
the most of the opportunities that you have and not
let anything get in the way. And you know, we're
here to support you with the kinds of investments that
(28:02):
we make. And I also want people to feel joy.
Speaker 1 (28:05):
Joy, you know, and it's let's go a dance and
in downtown.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
You know what I think it's I'm not kidding. I
think it's so important right now because you know, people
get depressed and they're down in the news cycle and
you know, and the and then you see violence and
shootings right and say, day after day after day, and
people wonder what is.
Speaker 1 (28:22):
Going on in our world? You know what the world
is your community.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Engage in your community acts of kindness every day, Smile
at people, talk to people, say hello, let's create our
own joy and happiness. And and with that, you know
that positivity that that feeds on itself. And that's my
message to kids is you know, not only you're in
the greatest state in the country, but we're going to
do everything to make sure that you have all the
(28:47):
opportunity that you can possibly have.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Thank you so much, yet us having me Hend David.
Remember to download that iHeart app and continue to select
Get Us All Boston as your favorite podcast. We're here
at continue to give you and provide your resources and
tools to better your life and be a better community.
Thank you again everybody for listening. See you next week.
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