Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren kicked off a busy political week with her announcement that she's forming an exploratory committee into a 2020 presidential run.
The Democrat has long been rumored to be a candidate for the White House. The announcementcomes the same week after she was sworn in to a second term in the Senate.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker began his second term in office. In his inaugural address, he preached a message of civility and bipartisanship. Baker has been one of the most popular governors, according to polls, and said in his inaugural address that transportation and school funding issues will be among his top priorities.
Also in the Statehouse this week, several new legislators took the oath of office for the first time. Among them is Jo Comerford, who is filling the vacant seat formerly held by Stan Rosenberg. Rosenberg resigned last year amid a scandal involving sexual misconduct allegations against his husband.
It's official. @Jo_Comerford is a senator. #mapoli #hfwsen pic.twitter.com/oONe2R4Rpk
— Matt Szafranski (@MSzafranski413) January 2, 2019
And the new year brought an increase in the minimum wage for workers in four of the six New England states. In Massachusetts, it is now $12 an hour, but for certain farm workers, it remains only $8 an hour.
Guests:
- Rick Hurst, publisher, Af-Am Point of View
- Matt Szafranski, editor, Western Mass Politics and Insight
