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.
Republican
Before the Legislature considers taking on additional debt services on behalf of the MBTA, we must demand that the MBTA show the public a good faith plan on how to get their financial house in order.
For too long, the MBTA has simply ignored its obligation to promote efficiency and financial responsibility, and instead has continually turned to the taxpayers for more and more money.
This approach towards operations must stop, and before the Legislature takes on more debt or contributes additional revenue, we must demand real reform of the MBTA operations.
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?
Republican
I believe this is one of the most harmful pieces of legislation passed by the Legislature in recent memory.
In what the Boston Business Journal called "Soviet-style" health cost control legislation, Massachusetts added a tremendous level of bureaucracy and red tape on an already regulation-strangled healthcare industry. The Wall Street Journal noted that while everyone is trying to deliver healthcare more efficiently and be more accountable, this legislation makes hospitals accountable to government bureaucracy and not patients.
This legislation will reduce access to healthcare, and, through $225 million in taxes, hurt our world-renowned teaching hospitals and reward underperforming hospital organizations through a redistribution of wealth.
It’s no wonder Moody’s Investment Services wrote the following in a credit analysis of the new law: “The Legislation is credit negative for Massachusetts Hospitals … It will use an excise tax on insurers to support smaller and less profitable hospitals, potentially allowing them to remain in business longer than would otherwise be possible and limiting the ability of larger systems to consolidate and grow through acquisitions.”
This was another case of big government taking over the free market, and patients and consumers will suffer as a result.
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?
Republican
I believe we should expand the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.
No different than our national collegiate system, where competition breeds excellence, our state education system should embrace educational options for students which include charter schools.
With 35,000 students on a wait list, the demand is clearly there. We must provide more charter schools to meet this demand and give parents educational options for their children.
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?
Republican
I absolutely oppose the use of Project Labor Agreements. I believe union workers do great work. I also believe that non-union workers do great work as well.
We live in a capitalist nation where free market competition leads to excellence and lower costs. When the governor cuts out 80% of the workforce in the state from being able to bid on state projects, he throws out the window the concept of free enterprise.
The governor has used PLAs to cater to a specific political interest instead of doing what’s right for the people of Massachusetts and opening up the bidding process for state projects to 100% of the workforce, both union and open shops.
Employee Pensions
Do you think further changes to the state employee pension system are necessary?
Republican
The Legislature made significant changes this year to the state pension system. However, this doesn’t change the reality that the unfunded liability of state pensions will crush the state budget in years to come.
It’s time that government looks into making a change in retirement programs for new employees. Similar to the private sector, the state should seriously investigate changing from a defined benefit system to a defined contribution system.
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.
Republican
There were a number of positions I took in opposition to my party leadership. Perhaps the most prominent vote I took in opposition to my party leader was my opposition to the government takeover of healthcare bill of 2012. In addition, I voted against a number of supplemental budgets that leadership supported.