State of Massachusetts Archives: on Government Reform

ACLU: Sue states for arbitrary voter registration deadlines

Q: What is the issue with the current law?

A: The concern is that the 20-day deadline is completely arbitrary, and disenfranchises thousands of voters every election. There's a particular concern for communities that are disproportionately impacted by this deadline: low-income people, elderly people, students, younger people, and people of color.

Q: How does MA compare to other states?

A: We're behind, given the technological advancements that have been made to facilitate election-day registration. There are a wide range of registration cutoffs, but there are several states that have election-day registration, including NH and WI, states of comparable size and population.

Q: How would changing the deadline affect MA?

A: It would increase voter turnout. More people would have access to the polls.

Don Berwick: Fight overturn or repeal Citizens United

A: "I see the Citizens United decision as the most toxic element of public policy we've seen in a century. I will fight to see it overturned or repealed."

Ed Markey: Authored laws on Telecomm, insider trading, and Alzheimers

1. 2010 H.R.4689: Latest Title: National Alzheimer's Project Act
2. 2009 H.R.2866: Latest Title: Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act
3. 1993 H.R.616: Securities Exchange Act Amendment
4. 1992 H.R.2977 & H.R.6180: Telecommunications Authorization Act
5. 1990 H.R.3657: Market Reform Act
6. 1990 H.R.3656: Gas Related Activities Act
7. 1990 H.R.3265 Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act
8. 1989 HR.3310 & 1987 HR.2472: Appropriations for National Telecommunications and Information Administration
9. 1988 H.R.5133: Latest Title: Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act
10. 1988 H.R.4118: Latest Title: Public Telecommunications Act

Gabriel Gomez: No anti-ad pledge; my only pledge is to Constitution

Pressed on his refusal to join Markey in taking the so-called "People's Pledge" to bar outside advertising from the race, Gomez said, "I've been clear from day one, and that is I will take one pledge and it's the pledge I took as a naval officer. That's to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. It's the same pledge my parents took when they became citizens, and it's the pledge I made to the people of Massachusetts. "Let's be honest about it," he added, "politicians make pledges because nobody trusts them."

Martha Coakley: Current FEC reporting on donors & meetings is enough

Coakley said the campaign information was already on the Federal Election Commission Web site, while Capuano told Khazei he would not post his schedule because many people with personal problems want to meet with him. "If that's what you want to do, I will tell you, you will have a lot of people who will not come to see you," the congressman said.

On a matter of current events, the candidates were asked whether public figures should have an expectation to privacy. Capuano, Pagliuca and Khazei expressly said they personally had nothing to hide; but all said an examination of their lives was fair game. Coakley warned, however, that an excessive focus would deter people from running for political office.

Michael Capuano: If meetings are made public, people will not visit Senators

Coakley said the campaign information was already on the Federal Election Commission Web site, while Capuano told Khazei he would not post his schedule because many people with personal problems want to meet with him. "If that's what you want to do, I will tell you, you will have a lot of people who will not come to see you," the congressman said.

On a matter of current events, the candidates were asked whether public figures should have an expectation to privacy. Capuano, Pagliuca and Khazei expressly said they personally had nothing to hide; but all said an examination of their lives was fair game. Coakley warned, however, that an excessive focus would deter people from running for political office.

Alan Khazei: Include senior opportunities in Serve America Act

• SUPPORT Increasing consumer choice & control for people needing longterm care.
• SUPPORT Improving standards and incentives for quality care.
• SUPPORT Providing family caregiving initiatives, such as respite care.

Scott Brown: Let president decide on nominees

A: I think it's up to the president to determine who's behind him and working with him. And I'll leave that decision [to the president].

Deval Patrick: Limit campaign donations

A: Yes

Q: For PAC contributions?

A: Yes.

Q: For Corporate contributions?

A: Yes.

Q: For Political Parties?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support limiting the number of terms for Massachusetts state senators and representatives?

A: No.

Scott Brown: Campaign disclosure but no donation limits

A: No.

Q: PAC?

A: No.

Q: Corporate?

A: No.

Q: Political Parties?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support using state tax revenue to fund the Clean Elections public financing law?

A: Undecided.