By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration spent the week highlighting initiatives and announcements spanning veterans affairs, international relations, early childhood education and transportation infrastructure, with events at the Massachusetts State House underscoring several of the administration’s major policy priorities.
Among the week’s most notable events was the recognition of Pembroke resident Truc DeCoste as the 2026 Deborah Sampson Award recipient during the annual Women Veterans Recognition Day ceremony. The award, presented by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services’ Women Veterans Network, is considered the highest honor bestowed upon a woman veteran by the agency and recognizes service, leadership and dedication to supporting fellow veterans.
State leaders praised DeCoste’s military service and continued advocacy on behalf of veterans and military families throughout Massachusetts. DeCoste, an Air Force veteran and first-generation Vietnamese immigrant, served as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist specializing in Persian Farsi and Dari. During her military career she deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, completing more than 150 combat sorties aboard the MC-12W as a Tactical Systems Operator.
Following her military service, DeCoste continued working on behalf of veterans through positions with the Home Base Program and later as Southeast Regional Liaison for the Office of the Veteran Advocate. She also volunteers with FourBlock, helping veterans and military spouses transition into civilian careers.
“Massachusetts is proud to be home to so many women veterans who have answered the call to serve our country and continue serving their communities long after they leave the military,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Truc DeCoste embodies that spirit of service. From her military career to her work supporting veterans and military families, she has made a lasting difference in the lives of others, and we’re proud to recognize her with this year’s Deborah Sampson Award.”
The ceremony also recognized numerous nominees from communities throughout Massachusetts. Women Veterans Recognition Day is observed annually on June 12 and commemorates the signing of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, legislation that granted women the right to serve as permanent members of the United States military.
The ceremony included a Presentation of Colors by the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School JROTC, a performance of the National Anthem by the Chelsea High School Choir, an invocation by Chaplain Kelsey Lyon and a reenactment highlighting the story of Deborah Sampson.
The event also marked a historic first for the ceremony with the attendance of Melissa Stafford, identified as Deborah Sampson’s sixth great-granddaughter.
The Women Veterans Network reported continued growth throughout the Commonwealth and now includes approximately 3,200 members. State officials said the network conducts more than 50 service engagements and events each year and continues expanding outreach efforts to women veterans across Massachusetts.
Later in the week, Healey welcomed President José Maria Neves of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the Massachusetts State House during an official visit focused on strengthening ties between Massachusetts and the island nation.
The visit comes as Cabo Verde prepares for its first appearance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a milestone that has generated excitement among Cabo Verdean communities both internationally and throughout Massachusetts.
Healey greeted President Neves at the front steps of the State House before hosting a ceremonial meeting. Discussions focused on economic development, workforce development, education and cultural exchanges between Massachusetts and Cabo Verde.
“The Cabo Verdean community is an essential part of the fabric of Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Families from Cabo Verde have helped build our communities, strengthen our economy and enrich our culture for generations. We’re honored to welcome President Neves to the People’s House and celebrate the enduring ties between Massachusetts and Cabo Verde.”
Massachusetts is home to one of the largest Cabo Verdean populations outside of Cabo Verde. State officials estimate that more than 65,000 Massachusetts residents claim Cabo Verdean ancestry, with strong populations in Boston, Brockton, Taunton, New Bedford and communities throughout the South Coast.
The governor presented President Neves with a commemorative gift recognizing the Ernestina-Morrissey, a historic schooner gifted to Massachusetts by Cabo Verde in 1982. The vessel remains homeported in New Bedford and continues serving as a symbol of the longstanding relationship between Massachusetts and Cabo Verde.
The administration noted that trade between Massachusetts and Cabo Verde totaled approximately $8.6 million during 2025. Massachusetts exported approximately $6.9 million in goods to Cabo Verde, while imports totaled approximately $1.7 million.
The week also saw the administration publicly oppose a proposed federal rule affecting Head Start programs nationwide.
Healey and other state officials criticized a proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that would eliminate certain wage and benefit requirements for Head Start educators and remove expectations that Head Start teachers receive compensation comparable to public school educators.
State officials argued that the proposal could worsen existing workforce shortages in early childhood education and make it more difficult for providers to recruit and retain qualified staff.
“Head Start helps thousands of children get ready for school and gives parents the support they need to go to work and support their families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “At a time when child care programs are already struggling to recruit and retain staff, this proposal moves us in the wrong direction. President Trump’s proposed rule will hurt our children, families and hardworking child care providers, increasing costs for families and exacerbating workforce shortages. We should be strengthening the early education workforce, not making it harder for programs to keep their doors open and serve children.”
Massachusetts officials noted that Head Start programs currently serve more than 10,000 children annually across the Commonwealth and employ approximately 3,500 early childhood professionals.
Administration officials said Massachusetts remains one of only a small number of states that supplements federal Head Start funding with state grant programs. Since taking office, Healey and Driscoll have increased annual state supplemental Head Start funding by more than $3.5 million.
State education leaders argued that compensation challenges remain one of the most significant obstacles facing early childhood education providers and warned that weakening federal wage expectations could place additional strain on programs already struggling to fill positions.
The administration formally submitted public comments opposing the proposed federal rule and urged federal officials to maintain workforce support measures currently in place.
Transportation funding represented another major focus during the week as Healey signed a major transportation bond bill providing hundreds of millions of dollars for local infrastructure projects and transportation improvements throughout Massachusetts.
The legislation includes $300 million in Chapter 90 funding for municipalities, continuing a historic funding level established in Fiscal Year 2026. The administration said the funding will support road repairs, bridge improvements, sidewalk construction, bicycle infrastructure and other local transportation priorities.
“Every community deserves safe, reliable roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This bill delivers the resources that cities and towns need to make critical improvements, improve public safety and support housing growth. We’re proud to partner with local leaders across Massachusetts to make our communities more connected, more affordable and better positioned for the future.”
In addition to Chapter 90 funding, the legislation authorizes another $200 million for transportation projects tied to housing development. Officials said those funds can be used for roadway improvements, intersections, pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle accommodations needed to support new housing projects.
The bill also authorizes $200 million for the Parkway Resilience Improvement and Safety Modernization program, which focuses on Department of Conservation and Recreation transportation assets including roads, bridges, culverts and multi-use paths.
Additional funding includes $500 million for MassDOT bridge and pavement improvement programs, $200 million for MBTA rail reliability and vehicle replacement efforts and $3.2 billion in transportation authorizations supporting highway projects and municipal transportation programs.
Transportation officials said the investments are designed to improve safety, mobility and economic development while addressing infrastructure needs that communities face across the Commonwealth.
Taken together, the week’s announcements reflected several core priorities of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, including support for veterans, strengthening international partnerships, protecting early childhood education programs and investing in transportation infrastructure. While the initiatives addressed different policy areas, administration officials framed them as part of a broader effort to improve quality of life, expand opportunity and support communities across Massachusetts.