The MBTA
The MBTA is in crisis. This year, we saw both a fare increase and a reduction in service as a result of the agency’s fiscal problems. By common agreement, either the T’s debt obligations will have to be reduced – perhaps by having the state or another agency assume some of them – or its funding will have to increase. Please describe your favored approach to putting this vital transportation agency back on stable footing. If you favor more funding, please specify where it would come from, and what taxes or fees you would support for that purpose.
Democrat
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Healthcare
Massachusetts’s new healthcare cost containment law limits the growth of healthcare spending to the growth in the state’s economy and shifts from fee-for-service care to global payment models. Do you believe these measures will protect healthcare choices while preventing rapid increases in costs?
Democrat
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Republican
Republican
Not at all.
I think that the new healthcare law will put hospitals out of business and make doctors leave the state while causing people to be denied the healthcare they need.
It will effectively end lives.
Education
Many parents are looking for educational options for their children. It’s very hard to get expanded day programs in districts like Boston because the teachers’ union believes its members should be paid for the extra time they work. Charter schools offer longer days and longer school years at the same per-pupil cost, and there are more than 35,000 children on waiting lists statewide. Do you support raising the cap on charter schools? If yes, under what conditions?
Democrat
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Republican
Republican
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Project Labor Agreements
The Patrick administration has imposed so-called Project Labor Agreements on three large construction projects that require that anyone working on them must be members of a labor union and firms must abide by union work rules. Non-union shops say those requirements effectively exclude them from bidding. Several studies show that projects done under PLAs or with only a small number of bidders cost more than projects that have more bidders. Unions, however, say the PLAs insure higher-quality work and offer a guarantee against strikes or other labor strife. Do you favor or oppose PLAs? Why?
Democrat
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Republican
Republican
Oppose.
I believe that people should be able to work for whatever company they choose.
I believe the government has no right to force out non-union shops because the bidding process is the most equally opportune way to fulfill a need for a service. It allows for business to give a serious bid with defined expectations.
Employee Pensions
Do you think further changes to the state employee pension system are necessary?
Democrat
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Legislative leadership
Cite any votes (if an incumbent) or positions (if a challenger or newcomer) you have taken that disagree with the stance taken by your party’s legislative leadership.
Democrat
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Republican
Republican
I'm against cutting local aid.
I'm against any new taxes and think some should be decreased.
I'm against the new healthcare law signed by the governor and think it needs to be repealed.
I think that municipalities should be given their local aid numbers in March so they can prepare their budgets.
I think the sales tax should be reduced to 4% along with the state income tax.
If local aid is cut 40% over four years, and the sales tax is raised along with the gas tax, I don't believe a legislator should vote himself or herself a pay raise.