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Robert Reich on Local Issues
Former Secretary of Labor; Democratic Challenger MA Governor
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Robert Reich on Big Dig
Make rail part of overall Big Dig plan
Q: As Governor what would you do about the Big Dig? A: First, I would get control of the costs by implementing rigid auditing and accounting.
I would set up a real system of checks and balances, not the cozy relationship between the State and the general contractor (Bechtel / Parsons Brinckerhoff). And I would demand accountability.
Second, there is no substitute for a regional transportation plan. We should look at how Amtrak and the Commuter Rail can supplement our overcrowded highways and how trains can be a part of an overall plan.
We subsidize automobiles in the Big Dig and air travel with the recent federal bailout, but rail is a poor cousin.
Source: Al Turco, Stoneham Independent
, Mar 20, 2002
Use gas tax to pay for Big Dig, not toll increases
On the stump in Massachusetts and in an interview with the Globe last month, Reich has said that he would give serious consideration to raising the gas tax to pay for the Big Dig, instead of using increased toll levies.
Source: Yvonne Abraham and Frank Phillips, Boston Globe, p. B3
, Feb 8, 2002
Robert Reich on Clean Elections
Hoped to run “Clean” but first must run
When I entered the race for governor in January, I had hoped to run as a Clean Elections candidate. Given the uncertainty of Clean Elections funding, I must move on and raise money for my campaign under the old laws so that I can run a credible campaign
and fight for the ideas I believe in-affordable health care, a cleaner environment, and an educational system we can be proud of. I wish the system were solvent enough for me to run as a Clean Elections candidate now.
Source: Campaign web site RobertReich.org, “Clean Elections”
, Apr 11, 2002
Clean Elections is old politics against reformers
The failure to implement Clean Elections is yet another example of the old politics where insiders take care of their special interests-at the expense of the public interest. Clean Elections legislation limits the influence of lobbyists and is a powerful
antidote to corruption. It’s also an important step in reclaiming our democracy. Massachusetts should be at the forefront of reforming campaign finance at the state level. Voters understand that, even if the Beacon Hill crowd doesn’t.
Source: Campaign web site RobertReich.org, “Clean Elections”
, Apr 11, 2002
Clean Elections law reduces corporate political power
Large corporations have inordinate power in the political process. This is true in Massachusetts and the nation.
The result is bad for smaller businesses, bad for consumers, bad for employees, and bad for the democratic process. Antitrust laws must be utilized to break up monopolies.
Campaign-finance reforms must be implemented to reduce the power of money in politics. In Massachusetts, the public voted overwhelmingly for “Clean Elections” reform,
which would have reduced the influence of money in state politics. Yet despite the vote, the reform was never implemented. It should be a priority.
Source: Campaign web site, RobertReich.org
, Jan 25, 2002
Robert Reich on MCAS
Not against tests--but against basing graduation on just one
I’m in favor of holding schools accountable, and I’m not against tests -- but I oppose basing graduation on a single high-stakes exam. The education reform act calls for “multiple” means of assessment. I worry that a single high-stakes test will lead
some young people to drop out of school, and that it will turn our schools into test-taking factories in which teachers and students focus almost exclusively on the test to the detriment of the rest of the curriculum.
Source: Campaign web site RobertReich.org, “The MCAS”
, Apr 11, 2002
Page last updated: Nov 06, 2011