State of Massachusetts Archives: on Local Issues


Deval Patrick: Governor should take responsibility and get Big Dig reform

Q: What responsibility do you bear for the Big Dig problems?

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.

Source: 2006 MA Gubernatorial debate on Fox News with Chris Wallace Sep 25, 2006

Kerry Healey: Called for Big Dig reform in 2003; still investigating now

Q: What responsibility do you bear for the Big Dig problems?

HEALEY: From the very beginning of the administration, we filed a budget that would merge the Turnpike Authority with Mass Highway. Why was that? Because we knew reforms were needed. We had no idea about the safety concerns at that point. We went to the legislature repeatedly and asked them to merge these two entities so that the governor could have control over it. Finally it took a tragedy to have them allow us to do that. We’re finally getting that stem to stern review done.

PATRICK: My plan is to appoint an independent special inspector general, someone who doesn’t have relationships with any of the interests on Beacon Hill.

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

MIHOS: People are dead, Kerry. It’s intentional indifference on your part.

HEALEY: Your facts are wrong and the fact is that people are very pleased that today Governor Romney is in charge of this process.

Source: 2006 MA Gubernatorial debate on Fox News with Chris Wallace Sep 25, 2006

Jill Stein: New voices heard with Clean Elections law

I never would have run for office at all. I was concerned about public health trends, and what I considered political obstacles to protecting public health, and it became clear to me we had to focus on changing the campaign finance system. When I thought
Source: Yvonne Abraham, Boston Globe on MA 2002 Gov. race Mar 3, 2002

Shannon O'Brien: O’Brien’s Withdrawal from Clean Election hurts its viability

In another sign that Clean Elections is in trouble, state Treasurer Shannon O’Brien will announce today she is withdrawing from the public financing system and will begin seeking contributions for a gubernatorial bid under the traditional fund-raising system, a campaign source said. O’Brien’s withdrawal is a major blow to the viability of Clean Elections, a voter-approved measure which aimed to minimize the role of special interest money in state politics.
Source: Frank Phillips in Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race Oct 12, 2001

Shannon O'Brien: Asks opponents to voluntarily follow Clean Election rules

With the fate of Clean Elections funds still uncertain, state Treasurer Shannon P. O’Brien is asking Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham to publicly promise not to tap his $3 million campaign account and then try to qualify for public money. The state Senate backed a 90-day delay in implementation of the Clean Elections Law, a move that would allow Birmingham to spend freely for three months and then receive public money on even footing with O’Brien and other gubernatorial candidates.
Source: Rick Klein, Boston Globe on 2002 MA Gov. race Aug 23, 2001

Shannon O'Brien: Angry about non-disclosure of Big Dig cost increases

State Treasurer Shannon P. O’Brien is angry at the Big Dig again. O’Brien told Turnpike Authority CEO J. Richard Capka yesterday that she was unhappy he had disclosed $150 million in cost increases last Friday - only 24 hours after her staff had met with investors to assure them of the project’s fiscal stability.
Source: Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Boston Globe on 2002 MA Gov. race, Jun 21, 2001

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