About this episode
As we look into 2026, municipalities across Massachusetts face an onslaught of challenges, from housing affordability to energy costs to maintaining the quality essential services that residents rely on every day. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlights what the administration is doing to help communities tackle these issues, the importance of local governments and public service, and the lessons she learned as Mayor of Salem that she uses to inform her leadership today. For Further Reading: • Lt. Gov. Driscoll reflects on journey from local to state elected office • Healey-Driscoll Administration Files Municipal Empowerment Bill to Enhance Ability of Local Leaders to Deliver High-Quality Services for Their Communities • Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act • MMA, local leaders urge legislators to support Municipal Empowerment Act 00:32 Massachusetts: A Historical and Demographic Overview 00:55 Introducing the Lieutenant Governor 01:51 Key Issues Facing Massachusetts 05:39 Municipal Empowerment Act 09:18 State and Local Government Collaboration 10:35 Lieutenant Governor's Reflections on Public Service 13:50 Challenges and Achievements in Local Government 17:11 Federal and State Government Relations 20:40 Co-Leadership in the Healey-Driscoll Administration 23:19 Reflections on Public Service and Future Aspirations To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org