Jay Gonzalez, who is seeking the 2018 Democratic nomination for Governor, met with Quabbin area Democrats in South Hadley on Friday evening, March 24th.
Jay Gonzalez served as Secretary of Administration and Finances under former Governor Deval Patrick, with major responsibilities in policy and budgets.
In his initial speech, he stressed he ran a state budget with good management that included infrastructure funds for roads and bridges. Under his watch, Massachusetts achieved its highest bond rating in state history.
Gonzalez believes we can do a better job managing state government than has occurred under Governor Baker, who “ran as a good manager” but “has failed”. He believes we must “aim high,” which has been our history in Massachusetts, from support for the American Revolution to early free public education to a wide expansion of health care.
He supports affordable higher education, and is “committed” to giving every child a solid start in pre-school. He said that western Massachusetts “has gotten shafted for decades” on transportation. He cited the Big Dig and spending on regional Boston’s “T”, with little regard for the transportation needs of our region. He would develop a workforce strategy for Quabbin area towns that would allow access to vacant jobs in the eastern part of the state.
Gonzalez supports the proposed “Fair Share” ballot initiative, which would increase revenue by raising taxes on those earning over $1 million. On health care, he would like to see a Single Payer option under, as he called it, Romney Care.
Gonzalez also wants Massachusetts to join 48 other states by ending the governor’s office exemption from the Public Records Law.
At the meeting, Democrats from Belchertown, Granby, and other towns joined those from South Hadley, along with State Representative John Scibak (D-Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley). The event was co-sponsored by the South Hadley Democratic Town Committee and the Quabbin Area Democrats. Gonzalez repeatedly referred to “Quabbin Democrats” during his remarks.
The Quabbin Democrats will be holding similar events in the coming months with other prospective candidates, as well as meetings that focus on important issues.
In his initial speech, he stressed he ran a state budget with good management that included infrastructure funds for roads and bridges. Under his watch, Massachusetts achieved its highest bond rating in state history.
Gonzalez believes we can do a better job managing state government than has occurred under Governor Baker, who “ran as a good manager” but “has failed”. He believes we must “aim high,” which has been our history in Massachusetts, from support for the American Revolution to early free public education to a wide expansion of health care.
He supports affordable higher education, and is “committed” to giving every child a solid start in pre-school. He said that western Massachusetts “has gotten shafted for decades” on transportation. He cited the Big Dig and spending on regional Boston’s “T”, with little regard for the transportation needs of our region. He would develop a workforce strategy for Quabbin area towns that would allow access to vacant jobs in the eastern part of the state.
Gonzalez supports the proposed “Fair Share” ballot initiative, which would increase revenue by raising taxes on those earning over $1 million. On health care, he would like to see a Single Payer option under, as he called it, Romney Care.
Gonzalez also wants Massachusetts to join 48 other states by ending the governor’s office exemption from the Public Records Law.
At the meeting, Democrats from Belchertown, Granby, and other towns joined those from South Hadley, along with State Representative John Scibak (D-Easthampton, Granby, Hadley, and South Hadley). The event was co-sponsored by the South Hadley Democratic Town Committee and the Quabbin Area Democrats. Gonzalez repeatedly referred to “Quabbin Democrats” during his remarks.
The Quabbin Democrats will be holding similar events in the coming months with other prospective candidates, as well as meetings that focus on important issues.
