Deval Patrick on Local Issues Democrat

Sub-sections under Local Issues:
• Big Dig
• Other issues under Local Issues

Governor should take responsibility and get Big Dig reform

HEALEY: From the very beginning of the administration, we knew reforms were needed. Finally it took a tragedy to have the legislature allow us to get a stem to stern review done.

PATRICK: That stem to stern review was promised when you ran for Lt. Governor - it was owed the people of Massachusetts.

HEALEY: Then why did the legislature stand in our way?

PATRICK: The question always seems to come back to your not taking responsibility when it is your responsibility. I want to be governor and take that responsibility. My plan is to appoint an independent special inspector general, someone who doesn't have relationships with any of the interests on Beacon Hill, to give a professional analysis of both the structural and the financial integrity of that project, and to hold them accountable.

HEALEY: That's precisely what we have done. We've gotten experts from around the country.

Big Dig cost overruns are why people question taxes

REILLY: Well, Deval, you should say there's a lack of curiosity to the people of my staff who are working around the clock, night and day, to get to the bottom of this, going through hundreds of thousands of records. They are making progress, substantial progress. The Big Dig, and the problem with that, is a series of Republican governors who have tied my hands. But despite that, we have recovered and saved $75 million of tax-payers' money, plus six people under criminal indictment.