FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shawn Oliver Unveils Plan to Make the Lieutenant Governor’s Office a Champion for Massachusetts Communities

BOSTON, MA – Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor Shawn Oliver today unveiled his plan to transform the Office of Lieutenant Governor from a ceremonial position into an active partner for cities and towns across Massachusetts.

“Too many people think the Lieutenant Governor’s job is to sit quietly on the sidelines. That’s not how I’ll serve. As a New Bedford City Councilor and former corrections officer, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions made on Beacon Hill affect families and communities across our state. As Brian Shortsleeve’s partner in governing, I’ll be out in our cities and towns every day, helping local leaders solve problems, strengthening public safety, fighting for industries like commercial fishing, and making state government more accountable to taxpayers. Together, we’ll build a government that listens more, wastes less, and delivers results for the people of Massachusetts.”

Shawn Oliver’s Plan for a Proactive Lieutenant Governor

The Municipal Partnership Initiative

• Meet with leaders from all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns during the first year in office.

• Hold monthly meetings with mayors, select boards, and town managers to identify local 

• challenges and improve communication with state government.

• Identify and eliminate costly state mandates that burden local budgets.

• Work alongside Governor Brian Shortsleeve to increase unrestricted local aid so communities can better fund schools, police, fire departments, and public works without repeated Proposition 2½ overrides.

• Create a direct line between municipal leaders and the Governor’s Office.

Standing Up for Massachusetts’ Fishing Industry

• Serve as a leading advocate for commercial fishing and aquaculture.

• Work to remove unnecessary barriers that hurt fishing communities in Gloucester, Scituate, New Bedford, and across the Commonwealth.

• Promote policies that help one of Massachusetts’ oldest industries grow and compete.

Strengthening Public Safety

• Improve coordination between state and local law enforcement agencies.

• Support stronger recruitment and retention efforts for police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, and emergency responders.

• Expand resources to combat violent crime and drug trafficking.

• Ensure first responders have the equipment, training, and support they need to protect Massachusetts families.

Making Government More Affordable and Accountable

• Work with Governor Brian Shortsleeve to measure state agency performance.

• Identify and eliminate wasteful spending throughout state government.

• Promote greater transparency and open government.

• Ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and efficiently.

• Help advance the Shortsleeve administration’s mission of lowering costs for families and making Massachusetts more affordable.

A Lieutenant Governor Who Shows Up

• Spend time in communities across Massachusetts, not behind a desk on Beacon Hill.

• Meet regularly with local officials, business owners, first responders, and residents.

• Serve as Governor Brian Shortsleeve’s partner in building a more affordable, accountable, and opportunity-filled Massachusetts.