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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Republican
Republican
With debt obligations running around $8 billion, we have to first be smart enough to stop spending money we don't have, and stop making the problem worse.
That means we cannot afford to build the new $2 billion Boston-to-New Bedford rail link, which would cost more than $20 million a year to operate.
The MBTA is one of the most heavily subsidized public transit systems of any major metropolitan city, yet lack of fiscal oversight and proper management have left the MBTA facing a deficit of more than $100 million before the first train is run next year. There needs to be a complete audit of the MBTA to determine how this agency could misplace more than $100 million over the past few years.
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
I am quite skeptical that this bill will have the desired impact on rising health care costs, and many experts agree.
The growth targets are not reasonable, and the unintended consequence of price controls are shortages in services and decreases in the quality of care.
I am also very disappointed with the manner in which this bill was rushed through at the eleventh hour, with virtually no debate or any reasonable opportunity for legislators to fully comprehend what was actually in the bill.
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
Yes, it is imperative that we raise the charter school cap to give parents options.
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
I oppose PLA agreements because studies show that they inflate the cost of a construction project.
Employee Pensions
Do you think further changes to the state employee pension system are necessary?
Democrat
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Republican
Republican
Yes. The state employee pension system is broken and broke.
The Legislature failed again to take any meaningful action to reform this system, and it remains one of the major fiscal burdens that we are passing along to our children.
This system cannot be fixed until the elected officials who are charged with fixing this problem are removed from the system to avoid the conflict of interest that exists.
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 disagree with the minority leader's position on the "Health Care Cost Containment" bill.
I feel that it is a highly flawed piece of legislation that was rushed through the House, on the last day of formal session, with little to no debate, transparency or opportunity for legislators to fully understand, comprehend, and discuss the implications of such a major piece of legislation.