Steven A. Baddour
Executive Vice President & Director of Operations
+1.617.348.1686
Steve Baddour, Executive Vice President & Director of Operations at ML Strategies in Boston, is a seasoned strategist with over three decades of experience in law, government, and public policy. As a former Massachusetts State Senator and Assistant Attorney General, Steve brings a rare blend of deep institutional knowledge and bold, creative strategy to the world of advocacy. Steve has built a career navigating all levels of government, from local city halls to Beacon Hill to the halls of Congress in Washington, DC.
Steve’s innovative approach to lobbying helps clients turn obstacles into opportunities by crafting tailored solutions that get results where others stall. Throughout his career, he has leveraged his experience and connections to support clients in shaping policy, unlocking funding, and moving agendas forward with precision and impact.
In the Senate, Steve held influential roles as Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Vice Chair of both the Judiciary Committee and the powerful Ways and Means Committee and led numerous high-stakes conference committees. His deep understanding of legislative, executive, and local governance makes him a strategic asset in any policy arena.
An engaged leader in both civic and business communities, Steve sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley.
Education
- Massachusetts School of Law (JD)
- University of Massachusetts (BA, cum laude)
Involvement
- Board of Directors, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Board of Directors, Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Governor Healey State of the Commonwealth Address
January 17, 2025|Alert
A $1 Billion, 10-year Climate Tech Investment Effort to Come in Massachusetts
February 29, 2024|Alert
Hill to Hill — Policy & Political Developments in Washington, DC and Boston, MA
July 26, 2023|Article
News & Press
Viewpoints
Governor Healey State of the Commonwealth Address
January 17, 2025| Alert
In Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s second State of the Commonwealth Address, delivered on January 16, 2025, she discussed her administration’s achievements and initiatives in many policy areas, including childcare, housing, public transportation, health care, and more.
A $1 Billion, 10-year Climate Tech Investment Effort to Come in Massachusetts
February 29, 2024| Alert
As part of the Healey–Driscoll administration’s continued efforts to ensure Massachusetts remains a state where people want to live, work, and raise families — and businesses want to start and operate companies — the administration announced the proposed Mass Leads Act earlier today. The proposed law calls for investments of $1 billion each in the life sciences and climate tech industries over a 10-year period, with the latter category of funding providing critically important support to the administration’s goal of making Massachusetts the global leader in climate tech and clean energy development.
Hill to Hill — Policy & Political Developments in Washington, DC and Boston, MA
July 26, 2023| Article
This issue of Hill to Hill covers the continuing risk of a federal government shutdown despite the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement, the ongoing rollout of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, developments related to the Massachusetts state FY2024 budget and a pending tax relief package, recent ML Strategies events, and more.
Hill to Hill — Policy & Political Developments in Washington, DC and Boston, MA
April 26, 2023| Article
This issue of Hill to Hill covers the budget and appropriations process on Capitol Hill, developments related to the Advanced Research Project Agency for Health and the CHIPS and Science Act, the start of the new Massachusetts legislative session and proposals filed by the Healey-Driscoll administration, and recent ML Strategies events.
Proposed Laws Are One Step Closer to the November 2022 Ballot
September 3, 2021| Blog
On Wednesday, September 1st, Attorney General Maura Healey certified 17 out of 30 ballot proposals filed in August to continue on the path to securing a spot on the 2022 ballot. Of the 17 proposals certified, 16 were initiative petitions including, but not limited to, proposals relative to alcohol reforms, requirements for presentation of identification to vote, and the employment of app-based drivers. The seventeenth proposal is a constitutional amendment providing for no-excuse absentee voting.
New Laws Possible in Massachusetts - Proponents Set Sights on 2022 Ballot
August 6, 2021| Blog
Those seeking to amend Massachusetts law or the Massachusetts Constitution through the state’s unique ballot initiative process had until Wednesday, August 4, 2021 to file their proposals with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. By the time the deadline was reached, 30 proposals were filed.
House Republicans Reverse Course on Earmarks, Congressionally Directed Spending is Back
March 18, 2021| Blog
Since the Democrats reclaimed control of the House of Representatives in 2018, barrels of ink have been spilled on the topic of “congressionally-directed spending”. Better known as earmarks, this funding mechanism allows Members of Congress to send money directly to projects identified in their districts, largely bypassing the federal bureaucracy and its protracted grant application process. For more than a decade, the Congress has banned the practice of including congressionally-directed funding in spending bills. Now, Democrats in control of both chambers and the White House are poised to bring earmarks back. On March 17th, House Republicans voted to reverse the GOP Conference’s ten year-old ban on congressionally directed spending, paving the way for Members from both parties to make requests in upcoming spending and infrastructure bills.
Is Massachusetts Poised to Pass a Tax on Digital Advertising?
March 2, 2021| Blog
Only a handful of states have sought to tax digital advertising, and the path forward is murky at best due to practical considerations, federal preemption and constitutional questions. However, there are at least 4 bills filed for the 2021-2022 legislative session in Massachusetts that would implement a tax on a company that advertises on a digital platform.
Governor Baker Releases FY2022 Budget Bill
January 28, 2021| Blog
During his annual State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Charlie Baker highlighted the heroic work of frontline workers and first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while reminding the Commonwealth that though we are close, we are not out of the dark quite yet. Gov. Baker’s FY2022 (“H1”) budget recommendations support that perspective and indicates the state is still feeling the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Massachusetts FY2021 Conference Report
December 7, 2020| Blog
The fiscal year 2021 (“FY2021”) budget process has been anything but typical. Shortly after Governor Baker’s budget proposal was released in January, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, reorienting the legislative calendar for the remainder of the 2019-2020 legislative session.
News & Press
ML Strategies Appoints New Leadership
January 30, 2023
Events
Apr
1
2025
Moderator
Feb
25
2025
Moderator
Feb
10
2025
Panelist
Mar
29
2021
Panelist
Nov
8
2019
Speaker
Sep
25
2018