House and Senate Kick Off 194th SessionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:29PM / Wednesday, January 01, 2025 | |
 Gov. Maura Healey swears in the 194th General Court of Massachusetts on Wednesday morning in this screenshot of the livestream. |
Leigh Davis was sworn in at the State House on Wednesday morning. She begins her first term representing Southern Berkshire.
BOSTON — The start of 2025 ushered new state House and Senate terms, with members sworn in at the State House on Wednesday.
The 194th General Court session will see new representation from Berkshire County as Leigh Davis was elected to represent the Third Berkshire District on Nov. 5. She replaces longtime state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, who did not run for a 12th two-year term.
Davis said she is ready to get to work for the district and the commonwealth.
"I'm excited to collaborate with our Western Mass delegation to ensure Beacon Hill recognizes the value we bring and the importance of investing in our regional economy," she wrote in an email to iBerkshires.
"At the top of that list are housing, health care, economic development, and the environment. Sustainability — balancing environment, equity, and economy — defines my approach, and I'm ready to fight for the resources and policies that will meet the needs of our district and state."
The inaugural House and Senate sessions were live-streamed on the Legislature's website. Gov. Maura Healey, joined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, spoke at both.
"It's a special day and I'm sure whether this is your first time or not your first time, it is special," Healey told the House.
"Because every election matters and it's not easy to put yourself out there to run, it's not easy to do the work once you're elected, and I know that all of you are grateful to friends and family who are here today or watching at home, who supported you and helped make this possible."
She said public service is a "high calling and it's absolutely essential to the preservation and furtherance of our democracy."
"We are swearing in this term in the year 2025 which is exactly 250 years since the revolution and the birth of this country and American democracy right here from this great Massachusetts soil," Healey added.
"So I hope that you all take a moment to look around this beautiful chamber, look at the names, look at the images, and just reflect on those who've come before, and think about on whose shoulders we stand. Think about the trailblazers. Let that inspire you and all of us, with the energy, the vision, the continued commitment to furthering the great work from this chamber because you will help write that next chapter in the bills you advance, in the policies you make, in the decisions you render, and in the partnerships you build with colleagues."
State Rep. Kevin Honan of Boston, the oldest House member serving from 1987 to 2024, was the dean of the House until state Rep. Ronald Mariano was re-elected as speaker.
"Massachusetts has always been a leader among the nation of states. Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to legalize marriage equality, to establish a minimum wage, and to create public schools, public transit, and public parks," Honan said.
"In recent years, we have passed landmark legislation combating discrimination, promoting the development of housing, and addressing the climate crisis. These are just a few of our accomplishments but there is much more work to do. As we begin the 194th General Court and as you, my new colleagues, begin your careers in the House of Representatives, let us remember the journeys that brought us to these halls and bear in mind the honor and awesome responsibility that comes with elected representation and leadership."
The Berkshire delegation of Davis and state Reps. Tricia Farley Bouvier and John Barrett III voted for Mariano, who won with 132 votes. Timothy Carroll of Hull was elected as House clerk.
Mariano said none of the legislators are there by accident but rather because of their hard work and dedication to constituents.
"The community saw something in you and I look forward to working with each and every one of you," he said.
"Two years ago when I last addressed you all in this chamber, I reaffirmed the House's commitment to combating the most pressing challenges facing Massachusetts and delivering results for our constituents. I pledge to work with all of you to build on the progress we had already made on issues like health care, gun safety, clean energy, and to tackle the affordability crisis that was being further exacerbated by high inflation rates."
State Sen. Karen Spilka, representing the Second Middlesex & Norfolk districts, was re-elected president of the Senate and Michael Hurley of South Boston was elected as Senate clerk. State Sen. Paul Mark, representing the Berkshires and parts of Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire counties, was also sworn in to his second term.
"As we think about the work ahead of us this session, the people of Massachusetts will be looking to us to champion the issues important to them, collaborate to find solutions, and compromise to put those solutions into practice," Spilka said during her address to the Senate.
"I can't think of anything more important, especially now. It is clear from the results of the last national election that people are hurting. They are being squeezed by economic realities that are that they feel are far beyond their control and they may have lost trust in so many of our institutions, including the people that they elect to represent them but here, right here in Massachusetts, we will not give in to despair or amplify the chaos we see on the national level."
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