Maura Healey sworn in as governor of Massachusetts: Live coverage

BOSTON ― Maura Healey was sworn in as governor of Massachusetts shortly after 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Healey, a former college basketball star at Harvard who went on to become the state's attorney general, becomes the Bay State's 73rd governor. She is only the second woman to hold the post, and the first woman to be elected governor; she is also among the first openly lesbian governors in the country.

Shortly after Healy took her oath, former Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll was sworn in as lieutenant governor. They are the first all-female pair to hold the state's two top offices.

After taking their oaths, both addressed the crowd gathered in the House chamber. We'll have live reports here. You can watch a live stream of the ceremony here.

How to watch:What to know about Maura Healey's swearing in, and inaugural party

On Thursday night, a star-studded inauguration celebration will take place at TD Garden.

In Worcester, some see Healey as a symbol of diversity

Coming at a time when many see both women's and LGBTQ rights are under threat, the inauguration of Maura Healey carries not only historic significance but in some cases a feeling of security, relief and hope.

“Coming from a low-income family and being a lesbian, it’s really eye-opening and brings such genuine happiness to see women up there in places of power where I have only ever seen predominantly white, cis-het men,” said Worcester resident Erin Griffin.

Having majored in national security, she has her sights set on a career in Washington, and Healey’s election serves as an inspiration. “It definitely gives me that hope and that strength to keep pushing there myself,” said Griffin.

“Since there have been rampant attacks on the LGBTQ community recently,” Rowan Mars said, “it’s good seeing someone who I know for a fact will care about the rights of the community because she is a member.”

That shared investment carries over to legislative issues as well. Following the Supreme Court's overturning Roe v. Wade this past summer, many feared that same-sex marriage would be next. Ultimately, it was codified last month with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act last month.

“As much as people say that we’ll have laws and rules protecting you, any day it could be taken away or changed,” said Griffin. “I’m just as much allowed to have a happy future life with my wife and kids as anyone else and I shouldn’t have to worry about that. Having someone in a seat of power to make sure our right to life is guaranteed and who has those same wants and wishes is amazing.”

“We all do better when everyone has more rights,” said Olivia Scanlon, owner of Canal District Wine, “not just for women and LGBTQ people, it’s really for all of us to have leaders like Governor Healey moving us in the right direction.”

Nicole DiCello, owner of Bedlam Books, said Healey's inauguration “felt like a bigger deal following the attacks on women's rights, when I lost so much faith in humanity. I think it’s amazing because she’s not just the first woman to be elected in this state but also openly lesbian, and the fact that those other factors didn’t stop her from getting elected is why I love this state.”

Tina Zlody, owner of the Market Pantry at Worcester Public Market, said that having "a slate of strong progressive women is incredibly important and probably why I’ll never leave Massachusetts."

"There’s part of me that hates the winter here, but I also can’t leave because of the politics," said Zlody, "I hope that we can continue to be the progressive open state that we are."

Healey speech focuses on cost of housing, climate crisis

In her remarks to the legislators, dignitaries and guests in the House chamber, Healey lauded her predecessor Gov. Charlie Baker and promised to address the state's challenges, such as cost of living and worker shortages, as well as the effects of climate change.

"We have untold wealth in Massachusetts. But record public revenue does little good when families can't pay the rent, or buy a home, heat their homes, or pay for child care. Our health system is the envy of the world. Yet our hospitals are desperate for staff, patients are boarding in emergency rooms, spending hours or days in an agonizing wait for care," Healey said.

"Our companies are eager to expand, but they can't find workers with the skills they need. Communities and people are yearning to thrive, but they haven't been given the tools to do it. This is ‒ this is ‒ the greatest state in the union. But people are leaving, giving up on the Massachusetts story."

Part of the reason for that, she said, is that the cost of housing has become "out of control," and she pledged to file legislation within her first 100 days to create a secretary of housing. She also said her administration would identify unused state-owned land and facilities that could be turned into housing, and promised to expand tax deductions for renters.

Locally, she asked all those in attendance to look at zoning, to preserve existing housing and to build more in the newly identified MBTA housing hubs.

"We have to make Massachusetts a place people can afford to call home," she said. "People can't realize their dreams until we end the nightmare of high costs. If we want Massachusetts to be a home for all, we need to build more places to live, and we need to make sure those homes are within reach."

To help businesses find workers, she proposed creating a training program called MassReconnect to make community college free for people 25 and older without a college degree.

Healey said she would target the crisis within the MBTA by hiring 1,000 new workers and appointing a safety chief to eyeball every foot of track in the T system.

To address the condition of the state's roads and bridges, Healey said she would form a committee dedicated to identifying and competing for every federal dollar available.

Turning to the environment, Healey said her approach would meet the climate crisis, and simultaneously create jobs, declaring: "Massachusetts can and will lead the world."

Healey said she planned to appoint a cabinet-level climate czar, and pledged to commit at least 1% of the state budget to environmental and energy agencies. She said she would double the state's offshore wind and solar power procurement targets, electrify the state's public vehicle fleet and put a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

Healey also said she would direct each agency under her administration to conduct a full equity audit.

Healey, who is just the second Democrat to hold the governorship since 1991, received frequent applause from the Democrat-dominated legislature.

Former governors gather, and an earring is lost

First the House convened, then representatives asked the Senate members to "come on over." Now, there's greetings, hugs and handshakes as the two houses prepare to welcome the new governor and her lieutenant.

On the dais in front of the House, former governors are gathered: Michael Dukakis, Bill Weld and Deval Patrick sitting alongside U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, former Lt. Gov. John Kerry.

In a light moment, the gathered dignitaries engaged in a treasure hunt, looking for the state treasurer's lost earring.

Statehouse fills with anticipation for Healey inauguration

Voices echoed throughout the Massachusetts Statehouse halls as politicians, supporters, dignitaries and just regular folks started arriving to witness the inauguration of Maura Healey, the first elected woman governor of the state and her lieutenant, Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll.

Officers manning the entrances were working speedily to check bags, check pockets and usher attendees inside.

The actual oath of office to both women is scheduled to be administered by Senate President Karen Spilka at 11:45 a.m., as the clock ticks down on Gov. Charlie Baker’s term, which ends at noon.

Baker has indicated that he will not attend: His last walk out of the Statehouse came Wednesday when he was accompanied by his wife Lauren Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and her husband Steve Rodolakis.

Baker shook hands, took selfies, and gave out a few ceremonial hugs along the “lone walk” that ended at the ceremonial front door, opened only on two other occasions: to welcome foreign heads of state and for the return of battle flags.

Governor-elect Healey is expected to arrive momentarily.

The program features the presentation of colors by the State Police Honor Guard and the National Guard Color Guard; the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem.

Both Healey and Driscoll are expected to address the audience, including legislators and dignitaries, after taking their oaths of office. Among those attending are former Lt. Gov. and U.S. Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, former Gov. Bill Weld, and former Gov. Deval Patrick.

Charlie Baker's last day as governor

New Year’s week was one of pomp and ceremony for the Massachusetts state government.

From welcoming new members in both the House of Representatives and the state Senate, to bidding farewell to those who have moved on: to retirement (Sen. Harriette Chandler), to new positions (Sen. Diana DiZoglio), to outside opportunities (Gov. Charlie Baker), Massachusetts lawmakers were busy.

They not only welcomed new lawmakers (Sen. Robyn Kennedy), but also a new governor (Maura Healey) and her lieutenant (Kimberly Driscoll) to the Statehouse corner office.

On Tuesday, Baker connected directly with the Massachusetts electorate; saying he didn’t want to leave office without a “proper goodbye,” he streamed his thanks for residents' support during his eight “sometimes crazy” years in office.

In his farewell speech, Baker recognized and praised the kindness and generosity of the Massachusetts people and thanked them for including him at the many functions that celebrated and raised funds for myriad causes: “two, three, four events” at a clip that were all about people helping one another.

Charlie Baker's 8 years in office:On his way out the State House door, Baker ponders his legacy

He singled out one meeting where he was asked why city children didn’t have more programs and activities to enjoy. That conversation snowballed and grew to include more than 100 programs and activities throughout the commonwealth.

“I am amazed at the creativity, shared sense of decency and purpose in Massachusetts,” Baker said.

On Wednesday, Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito handed over artifacts, symbols of the governorship to Healey and Driscoll. In the past artifacts have included the Butler Bible, the governor’s gavel, volumes of Massachusetts General Law and a skeleton key that unlocks what was once the council chambers and is now part of the governor’s office.

Governor elect Healey praised Baker and Polito for their years of service; for their help in the transition of power, for the beautiful and special ceremony, one that marks the history of the commonwealth.

“We accept receivership,” Healey said in a short meeting with the press after the private moment shared by the leaders past and future.

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Maura Healey prepares to be sworn in as Massachusetts governor: Live