Cut government spending, and reduce the state pa
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Corporations:
Cut business tax to 5%; remove ancillary business fees
Getting Massachusetts Back in Business:- Adopt a statutory tax rate of 5 percent for all business entities. Massachusetts has a complicated system that sets forth a series of tax rates depending on the type of business entity, the industry the
company represents and the size of the company. An across the board uniform state rate for all business classifications is the simplest form of taxation.
- Phase out ancillary taxes. This includes the $456 minimum tax on S and C corporations,
the sting tax on S corporations, and the tangible property tax on C corporations.
- To accomplish the above, the state must phase down the corporate tax rate and ancillary taxes over four years. Year one-8%; Year two-7%; Year three-6%; Year four-5%
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Reduce the filing fees. Annual filing fees range from $125 for C and S corporations to $500 for LLCs and LLPs. There should be one equitable and reasonable fee of $125 for business entities.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Education:
Increase charter, magnet, and alternative public schools
I have a personal investment in our state's education system. I attended Needham Public Schools. My three children are products of Swampscott Public Schools. I served on the Massachusetts Board of Education.To meet tomorrow's economic challenges;
Massachusetts must put students and teachers first. I believe our school system must put aside the politics, and promote accountability, flexibility, performance and innovation.
I believe education is a civil right. As Governor,
I will focus on closing the educational achievement gap among underprivileged and minority students, because every student deserves the opportunity to compete and succeed in the future. Not one, single child in Massachusetts should be trapped in
an underperforming school.
We should expand public school choice by increasing the number of charter, magnet, and alternative schools, because meeting the promise of our next generation begins with strengthening Massachusetts' public schools.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Support Hydro Quebec, efficient appliances, and LED lighting
Adopt a reasonable and effective statewide energy policy:- Support Hydro Quebec as a renewable energy source. Hydro Quebec has significant potential to provide Massachusetts with clean, renewable power that will expand the state's energy portfolio
while reducing the cost of electricity for ratepayers.
- Focus on energy efficiency. Given that only a limited amount of electricity can be generated within Massachusetts, the state should focus more heavily on energy efficiency as a way to lower
energy costs.
- Waive sales tax on energy efficiency appliances and upgrades. This will encourage homeowners and businesses to purchase energy efficient appliances and technologies.
- LED lighting rebate program. LED lighting is extremely energy
efficient but is still cost prohibitive to many homeowners and businesses. The state should offer a rebate program for businesses and homeowners to encourage the transition from traditional lighting to LED lighting.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Renewable energy is an important investment in our future
I'm concerned about the effects of climate change on our environment. I also believe that a strong economy is crucial to our ability to invest in solutions which will not only benefit our natural environment, but also improve our economic environment.
Renewable energy is an important investment in our future [but] renewable energy generation has to deliver measurable cost savings. Wind, biomass, and solar all have a role to play in reducing demand for fossil fuels, but the price of these energy
sources cannot make Massachusetts' already uncompetitive energy picture even worse.
Promoting energy efficiency programs is also a cost effective way to reduce current energy costs and shield our economy from future energy shocks. Our approach to
renewable energy must be supplemented by aggressive, public support for energy/electricity efficiency.
We need a balanced approach to energy policy that includes a reliable, cost-effective portfolio of conventional and renewable energy sources.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Environment:
Protect & preserve natural resources for future generations
I believe that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations and that Massachusetts can and must be a leader in promoting strong environmental policies.
As Governor, I would continue the legacy of strong environmental leadership begun by Governor William Weld.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Health Care:
Eliminate mandated benefits that are more than people need
To control health care costs, here is where I would start:- Demand transparency on price and performance. The lack of transparency in health care costs and quality contributes to the high costs of health care.
- Reform Medicaid so that the state
lives up to its promise to pay its fair share of expenses.
- Eliminate costly mandated benefits and permit mandate-lite and mandate-free options. Mandating prescription drug coverage is the latest in a string of public-policy decisions that are making
health care more expensive. Often, these benefits exceed what most members actually need. I support eliminating mandated benefits that are no longer effective.
- Require one open enrollment period and give small businesses group buying rights.
-
Medical malpractice reform: The high premiums drive certain doctors out of practice and limits patients' access to this specialty care.
- Increase the number of primary care physicians in Massachusetts
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Immigration:
Verify legal status before providing any state benefits
Making Public Benefits Available to Only Those in This Country Legally: Without action from the federal government to toughen the country's illegal immigration laws, states must be able to respond to the problems created by illegal immigration.
I support putting strict laws and polices into place that require state agencies to verify the legal status of applicants before providing state benefits [including drivers' licenses and in-state tuition]. I do not support providing public assistance
to illegal immigrants. Doing so sends the wrong message to those who play by the rules.Beacon Hill refuses to pass laws that will ensure state funding is not funneled to illegal residents. I would establish regulations, to the extent granted to me by
law, which would not allow illegal immigrants to receive public assistance. As governor, I would reissue the executive order that Deval Patrick rescinded to allow the state police to work with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Local Issues:
Cutting local aid should be off the table right now
I served as a member of my hometown's Board of Selectmen, and as Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance in Massachusetts. I know first hand what happens to cities and towns when state government cuts local aid. Politicians on
Beacon Hill should stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of local governments. State government should be cut before local government--that hasn't happened. We have 7,500 more state employees than we did in 2004. That's wrong and that has to
change.
I believe cutting local aid should be off the table right now. Long term, we need to offer cities and towns a more predictable revenue sharing model, one based on a defined share of state taxes.
I also believe that we should provide cities
and towns with tools to help manage their budgets. I support providing cities and towns with health insurance plan design. As Governor, I'll put my experience to work, and promote policies in state government to help our cities and towns succeed.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Tax Reform:
Make MA taxes competitive with other states
[My economic plan] Getting Massachusetts Back in Business will:- Establish a simple and equitable tax system to send a strong message to the business community that Massachusetts is a business-friendly state [with a flat 5% business tax rate]
-
Make Massachusetts' tax policies competitive with other states so that jobs are created here.
- Provide businesses with a predictable set of rules on how to conduct business in Massachusetts, [including an] immediate moratorium on regulations.
-
Adopt a reasonable and effective statewide energy policy.
- Regional Economic Development: There are many regions of this state that are struggling well-beyond the Boston metropolitan area. Most notable are the former industrial cities that anchor these
regions which have been struggling with double digit unemployment figures for the past year and a half. The current approach to economic development in the state is leaving these cities and the surrounding regions behind.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Welfare & Poverty:
Cut state retirement benefits to reduce $22B liability
The state's unfunded pension liability is a staggering $22B. Proposed changes would apply to the approximately 40,000 state employees that have been employed for less than 10 years.- Eliminate Outrageous Pension Payments; Cap Pensions at $90,000:
There are more than 400 state employees earning a pension of $90,000 or more.
- Stop Costly "Group Jumping" Abuse: It is the current practice to wait until retirement before assigning employees to a group which includes enhanced retirement benefits.
- "Hack High 3" History: Fair Calculations Based on Average Career Compensation: The current system calculates pensions based on the maximum salary over three years with no regard of the salary for the remaining years.
-
Raise the Bar for Benefit Sweetening: 2/3's Vote and Equivalent Spending Cut Required
- Modernize Retirement Age: increase the minimum retirement age to 60 from 55.
- Call For An Immediate Forensic Audit of the Group Assignments
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website, charliebaker2010.com
Nov 1, 2010
On Jobs:
Change direction on job losses and tax increases
Governor Patrick has long boasted his record of job creation as rationale for deserving a second term. [But] the state announced yesterday that Massachusetts lost nearly 21,000 jobs in the month of September--the largest loss of jobs in one month in
nearly 20 years. And a further look at the job figures as they compare to the rest of the nation paints another ugly picture for Massachusetts:- Massachusetts lost 3 times as many jobs during the month of September than all of the other
New England states combined, and New Hampshire actually gained 5,300 jobs.
- During the month of September, only California and New York lost more jobs than Massachusetts.
"Governor Patrick's record of job losses and tax increases is crystal clear,"
said Charlie Baker. "And given these latest figures it's clear what he will do with another four years--he will raise taxes and Massachusetts will lose jobs. The only way to change the direction of Massachusetts is to change governors."
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website press release
Oct 22, 2010
On Education:
Teachers' unions put their own interests above students'
With teachers' unions in Bridgewater &Raynham attempting to block volunteers from keeping the school library open, Charlie Baker on said the situation is emblematic of how unions and special interests have too much power across the state and on
Beacon Hill. The teachers' union in Bridgewater and Raynham is locked in a battle with the school officials and parent advocates who are trying to find a way to keep the library open after budget cuts, despite recent local property tax overrides and
$1 million in federal stimulus money to the schools. "This is the mentality union bosses have been able to get away with under Governor Patrick," said Baker. "It is outrageous that the unions would put their own interests above what is right for
the students." The Massachusetts Teachers' Association has been helping to fund attack ads against Baker, trying to distort his record and attacking him for pledging not to raise taxes if elected.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website press release
Oct 12, 2010
On Tax Reform:
Signed the no-new taxes pledge
Charlie Baker chided Governor Patrick and Treasurer Cahill for admitting last night that their own tax increases are causing Massachusetts workers to be taxed too much, and criticized Patrick and Cahill for not signing the no-new taxes pledge.
Baker and his running-mate Richard Tisei are the only candidates in the race who have signed the pledge not to raise taxes if elected."The eight tax increases of the past four years have cost Massachusetts jobs," said Baker. "Governor Patrick and
Treasurer Cahill have been advocating for and pushing for those higher taxes for the past four years and it's time for a new team to take Massachusetts in a new direction."
Baker and Tisei have signed the "No New Taxes' pledge, reinforcing their plans
to turn Massachusetts' economy around by reforming and restructuring state government, rather than raising taxes. Baker supports reducing the income tax, sales tax and business tax rate to 5 percent and will push for those tax cuts upon taking office.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial campaign website press release
Sep 15, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018