Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey addressed a large gathering of the western Massachusetts business community in Springfield today and declared her office is fair and accessible.
Healey stressed her desire to work cooperatively with employers when it comes to enforcing wage and hour laws, she downplayed differences over energy policy, talked about her commitment to combating opioid abuse and vowed to investigate and prosecute unscrupulous businesses.
" We've tried to get the word out that we are going to be an office that is fair and accessible," she said. " We may not always come out in the same place but it won't be because we did not have a conversation, or that voices were not heard."
Speaking at a breakfast event sponsored by the Springfield Regional Chamber, Healey pointed to the cooperation between her office and employers when it came to implementing the voter-approved law mandating paid sick leave for most Massachusetts workers. Healey held almost a dozen hearings across the state that led to about 200 changes in the proposed regulations before the earned sick time law took effect last July.
" And, the good news is we have not had any complaints in our office about this since it was implemented," she said. " It is a good example of how our office and the business community can work together."
Healey said the opioid crisis has been a top priority since she took office last year. She championed legislation to impose new criminal penalties for trafficking in fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller that is often mixed with heroin, producing lethal consequences. She praised the opioid bill signed last week by Gov. Charlie Baker and criticized the pharmaceutical industry for promoting the benefits of opioids while downplaying the risks.
She agreed with Baker that the federal government needs to do more to respond to the opioid crisis.
" We need a national solution," said Healey. " We need funding for treatment, for services, for drug enforcement."
Energy issues are the top concern of Springfield Chamber members, according to a recent survey by the organization. The chamber has endorsed controversial natural gas pipeline projects. Healey has questioned the need for the pipelines.
" My job in part is to make sure rate payers are not on the hook, are not footing the bill, particularly electric rate payers footing the bill for natural gas. That has never happened before, and I just think we need to ensure there are adequate facts and transparency when it comes to this issue," said Healey in an interview.
Springfield chamber president Jeff Ciuffreda said the local business community enjoys a good relationship with Healey.
" We are certainly on different sides of issues. She talked about her report on not needing an increased supply of natural gas. We think we do. That is an honest difference and that discussion will continue," said Ciuffreda.
The state’s top law enforcement officer said she is investigating shady debt counselors that consolidate loans with double and sometimes triple digit interest rates, and for-profit career schools that use high-pressure tactics to enroll students, overcharge them for certifications, and leave graduates burdened with loans they can’t repay.
Healey drew a large audience to the breakfast gathering. Attendees included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, and the presidents or CEOs of several local businesses.
