Recent events have placed the governor’s western Massachusetts office under an unfortunate spotlight. Public debates over its leadership and mission have rekindled old questions about whether Beacon Hill truly values the voice of western Massachusetts.
As I advocated in a letter in January 2023, following Gov. Maura Healey’s historic victory, the time has come to elevate the governor’s western Massachusetts office to a cabinet-level position.
The western Massachusetts office was established in 1979 under Gov. Edward King with a simple but powerful purpose: to serve as a bridge between Boston and the commonwealth’s westernmost counties.
In its early years, the office helped ensure that the needs of communities from North Adams to Northampton, to Springfield, to Greenfield did not go unheard in the corridors of power. It hosted listening sessions, facilitated economic development, and provided a trusted avenue for local leaders to reach the governor’s team. The office was a symbol of the administration’s commitment to governing for all of Massachusetts — not just the 128 corridor.
Yet over time, the influence and standing of the western Massachusetts office have quietly eroded. Successive administrations have allowed the office’s role to shrink, its resources to dwindle, and its connection to policymaking to weaken. Staff turnover, reduced public engagement, and a lack of cabinet-level authority have left western Massachusetts with a diminished seat at the table. The recent controversy over the office’s leadership is not merely a personnel issue; it is a symptom of a deeper failure to invest in meaningful regional representation.
During my tenure as mayor of Springfield, I witnessed firsthand the office’s declining relevance. While the staff worked hard and cared deeply about the region, they were often sidelined in policy deliberations. Rarely was the office consulted on statewide initiatives that directly affected our cities and towns. Critical decisions — from infrastructure funding to economic development strategy — were routinely shaped in Boston, with western Massachusetts too often an afterthought. This lack of engagement was a missed opportunity for both the administration and our communities.
Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll now have an opportunity to reverse this trend and set a new standard for regional equity. By executive order, she can elevate the governor’s western Massachusetts office to a cabinet-level position.
This move would send a clear message: the concerns and aspirations of western Massachusetts are not peripheral — they are central to the commonwealth’s success. A cabinet-level leader, empowered to participate fully in administration policy development, would give our region the representation and decision-making authority it deserves.
Elevating the office is not just a gesture — it is a practical step toward better governance. Cabinet status would enable western Massachusetts to advocate more effectively for infrastructure investments, economic growth, and social services tailored to our unique needs. It would foster closer collaboration between local leaders and state government, ensuring that rural, suburban, and urban communities alike have a voice in shaping statewide priorities. Most importantly, it would affirm that the Healey administration is committed to serving all corners of Massachusetts — east and west alike.
The recent controversy is not a cause for despair, but a catalyst for change. I urge Gov. Healey to seize this moment and take decisive executive action. Elevating the western Massachusetts office to cabinet level would be a historic step toward restoring the commonwealth’s promise of fair and inclusive representation.
Western Massachusetts has long waited for its seat at the table. The time is right to act now.
Michael Albano is a former mayor of Springfield and former Governor’s Councillor for western Massachusetts.