State Representatives Greg Schwartz and Amy Mah Sangiolo with Senator Ed Markey on Inauguration Day
Amy Mah Sangiolo (11th Middlesex District) and Greg Schwartz (12th Middlesex District) were among nineteen new House legislators taking the oath of office at the State House on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Governor Maura Healey administered the oath, after thanking members for their commitment to serve the Commonwealth. “It’s not easy to put yourself out there to run,” she said, adding “It’s not easy to do the work once you are elected.”
“Public service is a high calling …and it is essential to the preservation and furtherance of our democracy,” Healy told the House, observing that American democracy had its roots in Massachusetts, with trail blazers like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. Highlighting the fact that 2025 is the nation’s 250th birthday, she told the members that they will be writing the next chapter of the Commonwealth’s history and that they are “standing on the shoulders of those who came before.”
At the same time, the Governor termed the last session’s accomplishments “historic.” Included in her list of successes, Governor Healey noted that the Legislature cut taxes for the first time; built more housing; provided transformative economic development and health care; made important investments in expanding college and career opportunities; advanced clean energy; strengthened equal treatment under the law; expanded economic opportunity for everyone; and passed the HERO Act for service members and veterans. She promised that in the new term, expectations would advance policies to help residents and businesses.
Following the Governor’s speech and administering of the oath, the body elected Ron Mariano of Quincy for his third term as House Speaker. In his speech to the members, the Speaker emphasized “the House’s commitment to combating the most pressing challenges facing Massachusetts,” and the…