State of Massachusetts secondary Archives: on Budget & Economy
Heidi Wellman:
Market-led recovery better than stimulus
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"?
A: NO
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Massachusetts Senate candidate
Mar 7, 2018
Ben Downing:
We have widening economic and racial gaps in Massachusetts
[On racial gaps]: "The major issues are going to be the lessons we've learned from COVID," said Downing. "What did it expose? What did it show? We have these widening economic and racial gaps in Massachusetts around income and wages,
around wealth and gaps between communities in parts of the state that have grown and have benefited from economic growth in recent decades. So the focus will be how do we close those gaps, how do we address economic and racial justice."
Source: Charlestown Bridge on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Feb 11, 2021
Ben Downing:
We're left weaker by tax cuts for wealthy & budget cuts
Our economy has been increasingly defined by unequal growth. Decades of tax cuts slanted to the wealthy and underfunding public services have hollowed out the middle class, left the poor living on the edge and weakened our resilience.
Governor Baker has failed to learn these lessons, as he supports significant service cuts to public transit which will impact those hardest hit by the pandemic and least well off before it.
Source: Downing WAMC column on 2022 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Dec 28, 2020
Ben Downing:
Encourage savings with prize linked savings accounts
The House and Senate gave final approval S. 2374. The bill, authored by Senator Downing, authorizes banks and credit unions in Massachusetts to offer prize linked savings accounts (PLSA). Unlike traditional savings accounts which accrue a small
percentage of interest over time, the interest in PLSAs is pooled across all such accounts and distributed through a lottery as a cash prize to account holders. Each qualified deposit an accountholder makes is another entry in the raffle.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign site SenatorDowning.com
Oct 6, 2016
Beth Lindstrom:
Helped reduce needless business regulations to increase jobs
As a small business owner, Beth understands the economy and the burden that regulations and high taxes impose on job creation.
As Consumer Affairs Director, she was recognized for reducing unnecessary regulations. She also led a reform of the auto insurance market that lowered rates for drivers.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts Senate campaign website BethForSenate.com
Apr 3, 2018
Bruce Skarin:
Top priority: national debt; fiscal conservative
Skarin changed his voter status to unenrolled years ago, and in the last election for governor voted for Republican Gabriel Gomez as a sort of protest against the state Democratic Party establishment, even though he said he probably agreed more with
Markey's positions. As far as political positions go, Skarin sometimes sounds like a conventional liberal, and sometimes like a fiscal conservative. Combatting global climate change and the national debt are Mr. Skarin's top priorities.
Source: Worcester Telegram on 2014 Massachusetts Senate race
Feb 14, 2014
Charlie Baker:
Massive transformation of work has wide impact
One issue we need to get right is the future of work. Everything from business travel, to training, recruiting and sales have undergone a massive transformation. This will impact commercial centers, downtowns, transportation and public spaces.
It's critical that we understand this--and lean into what this reset means--so that we create the community building, housing, economic development and transportation programs that align with these changes.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Danielle Allen:
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
Deval Patrick:
Focus on selling Massachusetts
As Governor, working with mayors and other local officials, I will personally engage in attracting new businesses and workers to Massachusetts and encouraging those here to expand.
We will also fund a marketing program to stimulate investment in and relocation to Massachusetts.
Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p. 5
Sep 15, 2005
Deval Patrick:
We're broke, not poor: recession is temporary
We gather tonight under an economic cloud darker than anything this Nation has faced in three generations. Tens of thousands of people in Massachusetts have lost their jobs to a nationwide recession. Thousands have seen their savings or home equity
snatched away by turmoil in the markets. Banks have money but won't lend it.This is not the time to either lose our will or our way--the grim economic forecasts notwithstanding.
When I was growing up, we were forbidden from calling ourselves "poor."
My grandmother taught us to say we were broke, because "broke," she said, is temporary. See, we will cycle out of this downturn eventually and start to expand opportunity again, to widen the reach of the American Dream.
And I am confident that if we are honest about the challenges we face, responsible in the choices we make, and committed to work together for the common good, we will see our way through today's economic clouds to a stronger and brighter tomorrow.
Source: 2009 State of the State speech to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 1, 2009
Deval Patrick:
$1.1 in cuts in services this year, including many layoffs
With the economy continuing to deteriorate, we foresee the need for another $1.1 billion in cuts and other budget solves this month. At the end of this month, I will file an Emergency Recovery Plan to close this further gap. My request to you is simple:
Give us the tools and we will finish the job.I will also file a balanced budget proposal later this month for the coming fiscal year. Given the decline in state revenue, spending must be at levels significantly below what they have been in better
times.
No one's priorities will be spared. Local services will be cut, and in many cases, police, firefighters and teachers will face layoffs. But as we debate these proposals among ourselves and with the advocates, let us remember that we are doing no
more in state government than the people of the Commonwealth are having to do in their own lives--to make do with less, to trim down wherever we can to get through to a better time.
I know the impact is real. We need everyone to contribute.
Source: 2009 State of the State speech to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 1, 2009
Don Berwick:
Fought against bank home foreclosures
Grossman said, "She spent her life as a prosecutor. We need a job creator."Coakley said her career as a prosecutor in Middlesex County and at the state level was not a detriment to her campaign. She noted her fights against bank home foreclosures
and challenging DOMA.
"I've always focused on families, people who need voice, people who need someone to speak for them. I've done that as a prosecutor, I've done it as AG. I will be the voice for people as their governor," Coakley told reporters.
Source: WWLP 22-News on 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial debate
Jun 10, 2014
Ed Markey:
Pay for $2000 stimulus checks by repealing Trump tax cuts
O'Connor emphasized the need to reopen businesses and schools "safely." Markey said that could only be done with more federal support.O'Connor said Markey was being too extreme, particularly the senator's proposal to send $2,000 monthly payments to
every individual with an income below $100,000, retroactive to March. "It is a grossly irresponsible proposal," O'Connor said, arguing it was unaffordable.
Markey said the payments could be paid for, at least in part, by repealing the Trump tax cuts.
Source: The Boston Globe on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 6, 2020
Jay Gonzalez:
Preserved important investments during Great Recession
Your take on Baker's management of the state budget?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.
Source: WBUR.org on 2018 Massachusetts gubernatorial race
May 8, 2017
Jeff Colyer:
Low taxes & less regulation key to expansion
Many working people aren't progressing like they used to; in too many families, their children aren't moving forward with meaningful careers. America has also failed the poor, with too many middle class people sliding right down the pole with them.
I believe free and fair enterprise with less regulation, lower, simpler taxes, and less top heavy crony capitalism, is the key to help repair the liberal failure on poverty and progress, and regrow the middle class.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Massachusetts Senatorial race
Jul 27, 2017
Karyn Polito:
Voted NO on $300M to offset the budget deficit via bonds
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part V: Fiscal Responsibility:Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting. [State Rep. Polito, a Republican, voted NO].The state shall issue and sell bonds of the Commonwealth in an amount
[up to] $300,000,000. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2010. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligation bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special obligations of the Commonwealth.
[Establishes a 7-year bond program to borrow money to pay off the budget deficit].
Relevant platform section: PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP:
Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "Budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks."
Source citation: Amendment to MGL 29 ; vote number 62
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Apr 30, 2003
Kevin O`Connor:
$2000 monthly payments during pandemic grossly irresponsible
Markey said, "If you're not afraid of coronavirus, it will dominate your life right now." O'Connor blasted Markey for "politicizing the issue" and condemned his "failure to point the finger at China," which O'Connor said "misled" the public.
The Republican challenger, who said his father was sickened by the virus and his cousin died from it, rejected Markey's proposal to give millions of Americans $2,000 a month during the pandemic as "grossly irresponsible" financially.
Source: The Boston Herald on 2020 Massachusetts Senate debate
Oct 5, 2020
Lori Trahan:
Restore economic fairness to all, not just those at top
Lori believes that we need an economy that works for everyone and addresses the economic anxiety that plays out in the homes of working families each day. Lori understands that a strong economy and access to good education
create economic opportunity for working-class families across the nation. We need to restore basic fairness to our economy and get it working for everyone, not just those at the top.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts 3rd House campaign website LoriTrahan.com
Oct 9, 2018
Marty Walsh:
Voted YES on $300M to offset the budget deficit via bonds
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part V: Fiscal Responsibility:Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting. [State Rep. Walsh voted YES].The state shall issue and sell bonds of the Commonwealth in an amount
[up to] $300,000,000. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2010. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligation bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special obligations of the Commonwealth.
[Establishes a 7-year bond program to borrow money to pay off the budget deficit].
Relevant platform section: PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP:
Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "Budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks."
Source citation: Amendment to MGL 29 ; vote number 62
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Apr 30, 2003
Maura Healey:
Encourage entrepreneurism with Office of Economic Assistance
- Promote and expand Early College efforts, providing more young people with post-secondary success.
- Encourage entrepreneurism, especially for women and people of color by creating an Office of Economic Assistance to advise and assist in
developing business plans, facilitate regulatory compliance, and help people access needed capital and borrowing.
- Partner with labor and industry to create pathways to meaningful opportunities and steady careers in important sectors.
Source: 2022 Massachusetts Governor campaign website MauraHealey.com
Jun 7, 2022
Scott Brown:
Voted NO on $300M to offset the budget deficit via bonds
Massachusetts Democratic Party Platform indicates voting NO in Part V: Fiscal Responsibility:Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting. [State Senator Brown, a Republican, voted NO].The state shall issue and sell bonds of the Commonwealth in an amount
[up to] $300,000,000. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2010. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligation bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special obligations of the Commonwealth.
[Establishes a 7-year bond program to borrow money to pay off the budget deficit].
Relevant platform section: PART V: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, TAX EQUITY, & PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP:
Tax Fairness and Responsible Budgeting: "Budgets should be fiscally responsible and balanced without gimmicks."
Source citation: Amendment to MGL 29 ; vote number 62
Source: Massachusetts House voting record via MassScorecard.org
Apr 30, 2003
Setti Warren:
Closed $40M deficit in city of Newton & maintained services
When he took office, Newton was in the midst of a financial crisis. The city was facing a $40 million projected deficit and an empty rainy day fund.
Setti worked closely with unions and community members to create a balanced budget without sacrificing vital services that residents depended on.
Today, the city is one of a few select municipalities to earn two AAA bond ratings and has a rainy day fund approaching $20 million. While under Setti's leadership, Newton's innovation-based economy has been reinvigorated.
The city has slashed its carbon footprint while investing in housing, transportation, and infrastructure projects that reduce inequality and strengthen the community.
Source: 2018 Massachusetts governor campaign website SettiWarren.com
Jun 1, 2017
Shiva Ayyadurai:
Budgetary transparency will lead to infrastructure spending
Futurize America: The truth is we are never going to get great infrastructure by electing career politicians. With one click, you should be able to know in real-time where your money is going and how these politicians are spending it so you can see for
yourself how your future is being destroyed. Such a transparent technology at your fingertips will make you an enlightened electorate to vote for those who will futurize you and who will fund the 23rd century infrastructure you need deserve.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts Senate campaign website Shiva4Senate.com
Jun 24, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023