Ellen Fleming and Amy Phillips
46 minutes ago
(Photo courtesy of Springfield Regional Chamber)
BOSTON (WWLP) – When Gov. Maura Healey leaves the state, her powers will be passed on to the lieutenant governor and then to the secretary of state. But the governor has not released that information.
Asked about his out-of-state travel, the governor defended his decision to protect his and his family's privacy.
Last fall, the governor's office announced that Gov. Maura Healey would no longer disclose out-of-state travel to the press or the public. This is in contrast to previous governors who announced their travel plans in advance.
During the announcement last fall, officials said they would share her monthly calendar after the fact. However, Healy's office reportedly did not reveal where Healy went on her four-day trip last month.
News outlets learned of the trip when Secretary of State William Galvin's press secretary said he would serve as acting governor from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, when the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said in part in a statement:
“The Healey-Driscoll administration's refusal to disclose information about private travel raises serious concerns about transparency, government accountability, and continuity in emergencies. Massachusetts It continues to rank near the bottom of all states in the country. The Healy-Driscoll administration is setting an example.”
Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale
The governor's office previously said the lack of transparency was due to security concerns. Before her policy change, there were neo-Nazis outside her home in Arlington, where she lives with her partner and her partner's children.
22News has reached out to the governor's office for comment, but has not yet received a response.
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