Jay Gonzalez in 2018 MA Governor's race

On Immigration: No MA National Guard on border due to inhumane policies

Baker had previously pledged a UH-72 Lakota helicopter and two military analysts to the border on June 1 and were expected to be deployed at the end of the month. The Massachusetts National Guard has sent personnel and resources to the border in the past under previous administrations, including for Presidents Obama and Bush.

Democrats, who have sought to tie Baker to Trump with little success so far in his reelection campaign, argued that the governor's reversal on National Guard resources doesn't go far enough. "Governor Baker should have never offered our state's resources to enforce Donald Trump's inhumane immigration policy in the first place," said Jay Gonzalez, one of the Democrats seeking the party nomination.

On Technology: Accepted challenge to ride the T for 5 days

Democrat Jay Gonzalez--who is hoping to be the party's nominee for governor this fall--commuted from Baker's Swampscott home to the State House earlier this week as part of a social media challenge to public officials to take the T for at least five days.

Gonzalez, who said he would occasionally take the T if elected governor, responded to the governor's radio appearance in a tweet. "I took what would be his commute on public transportation earlier this week," Gonzalez wrote. "Not sure what he is afraid of."

On Energy & Oil: Make Massachusetts the first state to adopt carbon pricing

On Government Reform: Special interests and big money have no place in elections

On Health Care: Medicare for All, regardless of income or employment

On Welfare & Poverty: Address the affordable housing crisis

On Crime: Treat underlying conditions that contribute to crime

When crime does occur, we need to deal with it effectively, swiftly and fairly. We need to treat the underlying conditions that contribute to crime, especially mental illness and addiction. We need to give all parts of the system, including police, prosecutors, public defenders, and corrections systems, a wider range of tools and options to tailor punishment and rehabilitation to the particular facts of a case and needs of the defendant. We need to expand in-prison and post-release programs to stop the cycle of recidivism and reincarceration.

On Crime: Over-incarceration has terrible costs for society

Overincarceration has terrible costs for individuals, families and communities as well. Former inmates earn 40% less each year than they would have earned had they not been incarcerated.

The overincarceration problem starts even before a defendant goes to trial. Unlike federal and many state courts, Massachusetts does not use a validated risk assessment process to make evidence-based bail decisions. Pre-trial detainees in Massachusetts are incarcerated on average nearly 60 days before release, compared to a national median length for a felony defendant of 45 days.

On Environment: New revenue to fix our broken mass transit system

We need new revenue to fix our broken MBTA system. We can't keep asking residents to pay more and get less. Governor Baker has jacked up fares on riders and threatened to cut commuter rail service for weekend riders, seniors and the disabled. And his proposed timeline for getting the MBTA into a state of good repair is unacceptable, thanks to his refusal to acknowledge and support the need for new revenue.

We also need to invest more in Regional Transit Authorities that serve the rest of the state. We need to do the South Coast Rail project the right way from the beginning--electrified via the Stoughton route. And that's why we need to seriously explore high-speed rail to Springfield, the North-South Rail Link and the Blue Line extension to Lynn.

On Foreign Policy: Recognize Syrian refugees and others in need

The first piece of legislation I supported as a candidate for Governor was the Safe Communities Act. Among other things, this legislation would make clear that state and local law enforcement resources may be used only to enforce state and local laws- not to enforce federal immigration laws.

And long before Donald Trump, Governor Baker failed to stand up against hate and discrimination time and time again. It's not ok. It's not who we are. If I'm your Governor, it will not matter what color you are; what you believe; whether you just came to this country or you are a Native American; whether you are a Syrian refugee; or whether you are transgender--I see you. I believe in you. And as your Governor, I would work for you.

On Government Reform: Strong campaign finance policies ensure democracy's promise

Our collective well-being depends on a strong, healthy and responsive democratic government. We need to aim high to ensure that our elections and government are open and responsive to all of us. We need to make it easier for regular people to impact elections and policy, and to participate equally in the political process, regardless of their income and resources.

We need strong campaign finance policies to ensure that our democracy fulfills its promise to each and every one of us, to the people. Unfortunately, the current system for funding elections falls far short of the ideal, both nationally and right here in Massachusetts.

On Gun Control: Ban assault weapons and gun silencers

Stopping Gun Violence Before It Starts
• Address the root causes of violence by investing in programs that provide stability in people's lives.
• Support community policing efforts aimed at building strong neighborhood ties and engaging high-risk youth
• Expand summer job programs for at-risk youth.
• Partner with cities and towns to target gun violence hot spots, and revitalize high-crime neighborhoods

Reducing Access to Guns and Increasing Enforcement
• Advocate for the reinstatement of the federal assault weapons ban.
• Support Attorney General Healey's enforcement of the state assault weapons ban, including "copycat" assault weapons.
• Support innovative and proven programs to get guns off the streets, such as buy backs.
• Oppose legislation that would legalize gun silencers.
• Promote development and advancement in "smart gun" technologies that restrict access to only a gun's legal owner.

On Technology: Don't just re-arrange deck chairs on Transportation Titanic

That's why I support the Fair Share Tax, which would ask people who make over $1 million a year to pay more in income taxes to fund investments in transportation and education. The tax would generate an additional $2 billion per year.

We desperately need new revenue for our transportation system. The condition of our transportation infrastructure and commute times in Massachusetts are among the worst in the country, and they are getting worse under the Baker Administration.

On Environment: Address water pollution despite Trump administration

"President Trump's disregard for our environment is yet another example of the ways in which he is taking this country backwards. Rather than aligning himself with President Trump and subjecting our Commonwealth to these dangerous policies, Governor Baker ought to demonstrate real leadership by pressing ahead with plans that will protect our environment. Governor Baker's decision to follow Trump's lead and punt on environmental protection is disappointing and indicative of the kind of lead-from-behind governance we've come to expect from him."

On Tax Reform: Supports "millionaire's tax" with 4% surcharge

Gonzalez said only 19,000 families would be affected by the millionaire's tax, and he argues they would pay a little bit more so the state as a whole would have enough revenue to make badly needed investments in its future.

Gonzalez said Baker has repeatedly shown a reluctance to take a stand on issues until he absolutely has to. "People deserve to know where the governor stands on one of the most consequential public policy issues in the state," he said of the millionaire's tax.

On Budget & Economy: Preserved important investments during Great Recession

A: Governor Baker's been mismanaging the budget. He's been irresponsible in how he's been developing the budget. He's been in this situation where he's constantly having to go back and scramble at the end of the fiscal year to get it in balance. And it's resulted in emergency cuts to really important programs.

Q: How do you compare your record as the state budget chief?

A: When I was there, during the Great Recession, we successfully managed the budget. We did so while preserving important investments in public education at record levels and in infrastructure at record levels, and achieved the highest bond ratings in state history, when I was there. Gov. Baker has failed to manage the budge, and this is supposed to be his whole case for being governor: that he's a great manager. He has not been managing well.

On Immigration: Opposes Trump's Muslim ban

"Gov. Baker has just taken down his periscope and gone under water. He didn't show up at the Women's March. He didn't go to the airport at the time of the Muslim ban. He didn't go to the Copley Square defense of our constitutional rights. He didn't go to the Science March. I doubt he's going to the Climate March. He's doing whatever he can to keep his head low, and as a result I think he's actually betraying our politics and our citizens."

On Tax Reform: Fair Share Tax: We need additional revenue for services

A: This is something I think we desperately need. Our governor has said no new taxes. He's taken no position on this ballot question. This is another example of him sitting on the sidelines and not taking a position.

We've got to be honest about the fact that we need additional revenue for our transportation system, the T, for education, for things like what I just talked about in terms of early education and care, which will make a huge difference for families in this state.

I'm being honest with people, we need that revenue. I think this is a fair way to raise it, which is why I support it. We're asking those who've done great during this economic recovery to pay a little bit more so that we can invest in supporting those families who've been having a hard time getting ahead.

On Welfare & Poverty: Back to FDR values: good home, school, doctor, & job

"We've lost that, and because we're an unequal society one of the problems is the people at the top when they have trouble with the home, school, doctor, job they have enough money to go get it from somewhere else. But people in lower income brackets they don't have those extra resources. When you have expanding inequality you also see increasing pressure on people who are struggling. And that's a special responsibility of the governor to point out that to prosper as a state we have to prosper together."

On Education: Take on big challenge of making college affordable

On Civil Rights: Hate and discrimination based on sexual orientation isn't OK

A: I'm running because I think we need to be aiming much higher than we currently we are. One of the things I love about us, as Americans and Massachusetts people in particular, is that we've always believed that we can overcome big challenges. That sense of optimism and entrepreneurialism and that willingness to work together to make progress. It's who we are. I think, my view of what the governor should be doing--and government--is taking on the big challenges that are holding people back and try to make real progress on them. That's the type of governor I want to be. I also want to be the kind of governor that's making progress and standing up for every person across this state. Making sure it's clear that hate and discrimination aren't OK. And as governor, I'll be fighting for everyone--no matter what color they are or what their sexual orientation is, or whether they're from Marshfield or Springfield.

On Drugs: Support addicts and get them on a path to recovery

A: This is a huge crisis in our state. It is ruining people's lives. It is tearing families apart. When I was CEO of my health insurance company, (CeltiCare Health) the biggest health problem that people my company served faced was addiction. It was the biggest cause of hospitalizations, drug costs, everything. So we really focused on what can we do differently to help support our members who are suffering from addiction and get them on a path to recovery. There's no silver bullet solution, but we're not doing nearly enough right now. We need to invest in the treatment and support system so that we've got the capacity to address the demand. Part of what's happening is there aren't enough of the right treatment facilities for people to access when they need them, depending on the type of treatment they need when they're in recovery, so they're dropping out and falling off of recovery.

On Drugs: Ok to tweak marijuana law, but the people have spoken

A: The people have spoken and we have an obligation as a state to implement the law as passed by the voters. I think we need to implement it thoughtfully, though. We need to keep public safety at the forefront. I do think there's a role for the legislature to play now to review the law and make tweaks to those ends, but I think they need to do it as quickly as they can while maintaining the fundamental premise that was passed by voters.

Q: There's been some discussion about how much control local officials will have over allowing recreational marijuana in their own community. Do you support local communities having more or less control?

A: My personal feeling is that localities should have some level of control, but I would be deferential to whatever the ballot question that was passed says on that point.

On Families & Children: Quality childcare and preschool from birth to age 5

A: I'd like to talk about early childhood education and childcare. The thing we can do that can make the biggest difference for kids--particularly low income kids--is to get them off to the right start. And that means access to quality childcare and preschool from birth to age 5. Before they get into kindergarten. That's the most formative period in a person's development. Like 90% of a person's brain development happens in that age range. Yet it's where we're doing the least. So if we ensure that kids and families have access to good quality childcare and preschool, it's going to give them the head start they need to be successful in school and in life. Also, it's a benefit to parents because it allows parents who have access to childcare, who are able to go back to work. I'm committing that by the end of my first term that every single child in the state, age birth to 5, will have access to good quality, affordable childcare.

On Health Care: System is fundamentally dysfunctional; we need single-payer

Gonzalez said that while the ACHA would have been disastrous for the state, problems with the health care system extend far beyond that single issue. "I think our system is fundamentally broken. It's dysfunctional," he said. "This isn't an easy fix." He pointed to obscure and seemingly arbitrary price variations among health care providers, and said policymakers should "put everything on the table for consideration," including possibly instituting a single-payer system.

On Technology: High-speed rail between Springfield and Boston

On Abortion: Close the federal gap in funding for Planned Parenthood

• Guarantee that women have access to no co-pay birth control if the Affordable Care Act is repealed; and
• Commit that future appointments to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will uphold women's rights to full reproductive freedom and ensure women's access to safe, legal abortion in Massachusetts.

On Civil Rights: Continue Massachusetts leadership like on marriage equality

On Education: Fierce advocate for high-quality early education

Jay has been a fierce advocate for high-quality early education for all of our children, and is the former Chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care.

On Health Care: Health insurance coverage for low-income residents

He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Health Connector, where he oversaw implementation of Massachusetts' health care reform. Most recently, Jay served as President and CEO of CeltiCare Health and New Hampshire Healthy Families, where he helped tens of thousands of low-income residents access the health care services they need. Under his leadership, Jay turned CeltiCare Health around, launched New Hampshire Healthy Families, grew the company's regional presence by multiple times and added hundreds of jobs.

On Immigration: No round-up of immigrants by National Guard

"I call on Governor Baker to make clear that Massachusetts will not participate if President Trump seeks to authorize the National Guard to round up undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has always stood for the values of inclusion, diversity, and compassion, and Governor Baker should reassure our immigrant families today that he would not allow our National Guard to serve as an arm of President Trump's deportation forces."

On Immigration: Safe Communities: no Muslim registry; no state enforcement

• Ensure Massachusetts does not aid in the creation of a Muslim registry by prohibiting the federal government from accessing state databases to use in any federal registry program based on religion or national origin;
• Ensure anyone detained in the state is informed of their rights;
• Ensure that state, local, and campus police would not be forced to conduct immigration enforcement activities on behalf of the federal government.

On Government Reform: Supports same-day voter registration

• Warren supports extending Newton's newly passed "welcoming ordinance" across the entire state but stopped short of supporting a full-on sanctuary state designation.
• Massie is for same-day voter registration and is "not for expanding charter schools at a huge rate," and didn't support Question 2.
• Wolf supports becoming a sanctuary state and pursuing additional taxes beyond the millionaire's tax.
• Gonzalez supports same-day voter registration, and believes single-payer health care "needs to be on the table."

On Education: Opposed expanding charter schools

He said he opposed the ballot question last November that would have expanded charter schools in the state, arguing that it would only "have been a solution for a few kids in urban centers." Gonzalez said he wants to see education reforms that will benefit all students.

On Tax Reform: Tax surcharge on incomes greater than $1 million

He said he supports the constitutional amendment expected to appear on the 2018 ballot that would apply a tax surcharge on incomes greater than $1 million. "I think we need to be honest with people about what it takes to invest in the bold solutions we need to help people get ahead," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said he would use the proceeds from a surcharge to ensure universal access to pre-kindergarten.