STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press
BOB SALSBERG, Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — A day after Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick took the traditional “lone walk” out of the Statehouse marking the end of his eight years in office, his successor Charlie Baker is planning a day of festivities marking his swearing-in as the state’s 72nd chief executive.
Baker, who met with Patrick last night, is scheduled to today begin meeting state lawmakers at a reception at Suffolk University Law School. The Republican, who will have to work with an overwhelmingly Democratic state Legislature, will be accompanied by incoming Lt. Gov.-elect Karyn Polito.
Baker then makes his way up Beacon Hill to the Statehouse, where he’ll be welcomed with a 19-gun salute. Once inside the building, Baker will greet members of community organizations, students and veterans as he makes his way through the building.
At noon, Baker will take his oath of office in the House Chamber. Polito will be sworn in at the same time. Among those planning to attend is Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Baker is expected to deliver his inaugural address in the chamber. Following the speech, Baker will greet members of the public before attending a swearing-in ceremony for his cabinet in the Statehouse library.
Baker said yesterday that he was looking forward to taking office.
“I’m pretty excited, but of course I’m nervous,” he said.
Baker’s swearing-in will mark the return of a Republican to the corner office for the first time since Mitt Romney, who opted not to seek election in 2006. Patrick won that contest and defeated Baker four years later, when Baker attempted to oust him from office.
In the afternoon, Baker plans to tour the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative to meet with community leaders, residents and elected officials. Baker, who made an effort to reach out to minority residents during the election, said he wants to recognize efforts to revitalize Boston’s Roxbury and North Dorchester neighborhoods.
Baker plans to wrap up the day with an inaugural party at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Capacity at the event is about 5,000. Tickets are $50 each and available to the public.
Among the performers will be the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums, the Angkor Dance Troupe, and the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus.
Baker spent part of yesterday at the Statehouse, where he and his wife Lauren met with Patrick and his wife Diane for the exchange of four traditional symbols of the top political office, including the original Pewter Key to the door of the governor’s office.
Another gift was two volumes of Massachusetts General laws dating to 1860.
Patrick told Baker that according to tradition the outgoing governor writes an inscription in the statute book on the next blank page for their predecessor.
“I have done that for you. You can read it at your leisure,” Patrick said.
Once the partying is over, Baker will face the hard reality of governing. One of his first tasks will be finding a way to close a budget gap that Patrick’s administration had pegged at $329 million, but others have estimated to be as large as $1 billion.
Coming up with a fix could involve unpopular budget cuts just as Baker is beginning his first term.
