Gov. Charlie Baker Set To Deliver State Of The Commonwealth Address

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker is preparing to deliver his annual State of the Commonwealth address at a time of growing challenges for Massachusetts.

Baker is expected to touch on some of those themes during his televised address Tuesday.

The red hot economic boom of recent years in the eastern portion of the state has brought with it a unique set of problems including soaring housing costs and widespread transportation gridlock.

Baker has offered proposals that he says will help jump start the creation of more housing and help ease the transportation woes in greater Boston.

More recently the Republican has pushed for the adoption of a multi-state proposal called the Transportation and Climate Initiative that aims to reduce carbon emissions from cars, trucks and other means of transportation. Rhode Island, Connecticut and other northeastern states are also participating in the initiative.

That plan has met some resistance because it would also likely result in an increase in gas prices of up to 17 cents per gallon.

Those challenges come as the state faces a nearly $900 million budget gap in the fiscal year that begins July 1 as a result of rising costs and slowing tax revenue, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Despite the challenges, Baker — now in his second term — remains popular in his home state.

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