Danielle Allen in 2022 MA Governor's race


On Budget & Economy: East-west rail clearly important; definitely a high priority

She said she heard a lot about the issues of concern to people in Western Massachusetts. "I heard from a lot of people about young people moving away and not staying in this part of the state," Allen said. "East-west rail that is clearly important, definitely a high priority. In the context of the pandemic I heard about slowness by Beacon Hill. That is the dynamic I want to change I want us to be one commonwealth."
Source: WAMC Albany-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 15, 2021

On Civil Rights: State has taken too long where leadership is open to all

Allen is the first Black woman to run for Massachusetts governor as part of a major party. And, if elected, she would be the first Black woman governor in the nation. "I appreciate the weight and importance of this moment but there's also some pain that in the state that was first to abolish enslavement, almost 250 years ago, it has taken this long to reach a place where leadership is open to all," she wrote.
Source: Harvard Crimson on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 15, 2021

On Government Reform: Democracy is about working, deciding, acting together

Imagine a state government that in a crisis jumps in and activates all of our talents in response. Imagine one Commonwealth where those who are in power recognize their responsibility to the greater good and where those who felt powerless are reconnected to their own agency through communal action. That's what democracy is about: coming together, working together, learning together, deciding together, and acting together.
Source: WAMC Albany-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 15, 2021

On Health Care: Pandemic was last straw; commonwealth ready for change

A Harvard political science professor is the first candidate out of the gate for Massachusetts' 2022 governor's race. Danielle Allen--an author, political theorist, a Democrat, and a Harvard University professor-- was the first to formally announce she is exploring a 2022 bid for governor. Allen filed candidacy papers with the state's Office of Campaign Finance on Monday afternoon and simultaneously launched a campaign website.

Calling the pandemic "the last straw," Allen declared the commonwealth is "ready for change" and said she's ready to play her part.

The incumbent Governor Charlie Baker has yet to announce his plans for re-election, with the rumblings of challengers from both sides growing louder by the day.

Source: Boston Herald on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race Dec 14, 2020

On Health Care: COVID: Mandatory vaccinations for elderly, prison workers

Allen also backed the idea of mandatory vaccination for some state employees. "I do think that any job that involves working with vulnerable populations--that includes both elderly populations and incarcerated people--should have a requirement for vaccination," Allen said. "I think that is a very basic part of ensuring health and safety in the work environment."
Source: WGBH Boston-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 25, 2021

On Principles & Values: It shouldn't be every person for themselves anymore

Allen wrote that she was inspired to run for governor after observing how the pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing inequities for Massachusetts residents. "It's not as if that separation in our society just started last winter. It's been building for some time," she wrote. "We have a lot of work to do to reimagine and pull together to build a foundation of social and civic infrastructure on which all can stand up and thrive. It shouldn't be every person for themselves anymore."
Source: Harvard Crimson on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 15, 2021

On Principles & Values: Committed to building blocks of social infrastructure

Allen said her campaign is committed to what she called "the building blocks of social infrastructure: housing, transportation, schools, [and] justice."

"We call on the people of Massachusetts to embrace an agenda of strong, safe communities, healthy schools and universal democracy," she said.

Source: WBUR 90.0-FM on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 15, 2021

On Principles & Values: Will bring experience from academia to governing

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was made up of landowners, traders, and members of the "learned professions," as they called doctors, professors, lawyers and ministers at the time. The nation's finest universities have given me one of the greatest opportunities--the freedom and empowerment to shape a vision--as well as plenty of running room for testing how to put ideas into practice. I believe it's time for me to directly pay back the immense privileges I've been granted.
Source: Washington Post op-ed for 2022 Massachusetts governor race Dec 18, 2021

On Tax Reform: Better targeted investment than two-month sales tax holiday

Allen dismissed Gov. Charlie Baker's proposed two-month sales-tax holiday for Massachusetts, saying the estimated $900 million Baker wants to return to residents would be better used for targeted investments in high-need areas. "I think that we should be taking the opportunity of the [budget] surplus to consider strategic investments in our people, in our infrastructure, in our economy," Allen said.
Source: WGBH Boston-NPR on 2022 Massachusetts gubernatorial race Jun 25, 2021

The above quotations are from 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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