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
Republican
Introduce an outside auditor and conduct a full-fledged analysis of the finances, not only of the MBTA, but also the commuter rail, MassPort, and MassHealth.
Democrat
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Healthcare costs
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
Republican
Both political parties agree that there is a certain amount of fraud and abuse in the system. If we remedy the recognized financial mismanagement and malfeasance, this would no longer be a major issue.
Democrat
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Charter schools
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
Republican
Teachers should be compensated for their work, considering that most teachers work above and beyond "dismissal time", and often bring work home with them. Charter schools were created to provide alternative educational opportunities, but this doesn't have to mean that teachers in the "regular" school system should not be paid for their time.
The principal and assistant principals of each school organizes the teaching schedule, and the purpose of the union is to protect the teachers from being exploited, although corruption exists within unions as well.
If the principal of each school is responsible for the allotment of the budget, there should be some negotiation with the teachers who are available to teach longer hours, and the union.
As far as charter schools getting more funding for a longer school day, this should be decided on a case-by-case basis with an application and a school report indicating how the additional time will enrich the quality of the educational experience. Additional funding should be provided only after the report has been read and approved of, confirming the merit of the additional time.
Democrat
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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?
Republican
Republican
Regulating business to the point of determining which companies can participate in our economy and which are denied access causes inefficiencies in the marketplace and lends itself to corruption.
The relationship between unions and the leading Democrats in power is already problematic.
Economic activity, investment, construction, and employment should be encouraged.
Democrat
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State pensions
Do you think further changes to the state employee pension system are necessary?
Republican
Republican
Yes. The Legislature should vote to eliminate any and all pension schemes for elected officials.
Democrat
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Independence
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
Republican
The Mass. GOP is very polite and refrains from utilizing Article VIII of our Constitution, and should on a regular basis motion to impeach and remover members for misconduct. This has not been done since ... the Carter administration.
Democrat
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