Candidates field questions at forum

Wed Jan 23, 2008, 03:17 PM EST
Marblehead -

Marblehead - The Reporter took part Tuesday in the taping of a pair of forums with Republican candidates John Blaisdell and Tanya DeGenova and Democratic candidates Cesar Archilla and Lori Ehrlich for state representative in the 8th Essex District, sponsored by the Leagues of Women Voters of Marblehead and Swampscott. The following are excerpts from the candidates’ responses to questions from Reporter editor Kris Olson and Marblehead League of Women Voters member Kathleen Leonardson. Readers are encouraged to view the candidates’ responses in their entirety, along with their opening and closing statements, on MHTV cable channel 10 at the following dates and times:

Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m.

QUESTIONS
The issue of casinos is clearly not going away and indeed may be one of the first big decisions you will have to make, if elected. What do you think of Gov. Patrick’s apparent decision to tie spending proposals for the upcoming fiscal year to projected revenue from the licensing fees on the three casinos he would authorize? Based on what you know now, would you vote to approve casino gambling in the state? And, on a personal level, do you gamble on a regular basis – including purchasing state Lottery tickets?

Degenova: Degenova said she does not gamble personally and does not favor casino gambling for the state, calling it a “short-term solution” that would come with costs that would “drain the economy further.”

“What happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas,” she said.
Blaisdell: Blaisdell said he does play the Lottery, “and one of these days, I’m going to hit a million.”

He said he has “no problems with casinos here in Massachusetts,” noting the proliferation of license plates from the state that can be found in the parking lots of Connecticut casinos.

“That’s revenue from the state that should stay here,” he said.
He also said he was in favor of the new jobs casinos would bring to the state but then voiced concerns about one of the proposed sites, Suffolk Downs, which would bring traffic problems and other issues to the surrounding communities.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing right,” Blaisdell said. “I want all the questions answered.”

Ehrlich: Ehrlich said she is not a gambler but said she has purchased the occasional lottery ticket.

She said she entered the race with “no pre-conceived notions” about out the casino issue but, as she has researched it, has found herself agreeing with the concerns of those who wonder about the suitability of Revere as a site for a casino, noting that 40,000 vehicles a day travel to Foxwoods. She said she is also worried about “cannibalizing” the state Lottery, aid from which cities and towns have come to depend.

She said it would be a much easier issue if the governor were proposing “two casinos in remote areas.”

She said, as an accountant, the funds that would be generated from casino licensing fees are at this point “phantom revenue,” which makes little sense to spend at this juncture.

Archilla: Archilla said that he, too, is not a gambler, and when he has purchased the occasional scratch ticket, he has “not fared very well” in the luck department.

He called casino gambling a “two-fold issue” involving both “quality of life” and a revenue stream for the state.

He noted that the state’s residents have already approved casinos by “voting with their feet” with trips to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

“That’s our revenue, and it’s going to Connecticut,” he said.
Still, he called issues of traffic, compulsive gambling and public safety “valid concerns” which need to be studied and addressed before making any formal decision.

This is a fiscal question: Every city and town in the Commonwealth has felt an ongoing fiscal squeeze that has become a crisis for many. What would you advocate to help municipalities balance their budgets? Please comment on whether helping municipalities join the state-run Group Insurance Commission is part of your solution.
Blaisdell: Blaisdell said he has spoken with local union leaders about the GIC and also noted that, as a retired police officer, he and his family would be impacted by any changes. He said that one issue that has not gotten a lot of attention is the negotiations between cities and towns and their unions, which he hoped could be resolved as quickly as possible so that municipalities could begin to realizes the savings related to the GIC.

He said that, like the others in the race, he would be up on Beacon Hill fighting for increased school and local aid. He also bemoaned the fact that the forum was being taped shortly before the release of Gov. Deval Patrick’s budget, preventing discussion of the finer points of the budget.

DeGenova: DeGenova began by noting that she was “not tied to any special interest,” like any union, and said she said she did not see any reason why local employees could not benefit from the same type of group-insurance plan that she enjoys as a retired federal employee.

She noted with regret that Swampscott had lost out on an estimated $800,000 in savings from “the teachers union dragging its feet or whatever,” preventing the town from entering the GIC on the first go-round.

Archilla: “I don’t think I need to tell anyone — we’re hurting,” began Archilla, who called the local economy the “number-one issue.”

He called the GIC a “win-win for both sides” and did not offer a reason for the failure of the negotiations of the town of Swampscott with its unions. He did say, however, that a state representative “should be involved” in future negotiations over the GIC.

“[Swampscott] lost out last October,” he said. “On my watch, that won’t happen.”

Ehrlich: Ehrlich agreed that cities and towns are facing what she called a “municipal meltdown,” unable to keep pace with rapidly escalating health-insurance and other costs within the confines of Proposition 2 1/2 and in the face of declining state aid. That has required cities and towns to rely too much on Prop 2 1/2 overrides, she added.

She said that there must be a reason why only five out of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns joined the GIC in its first year and suggested that making the process “more transparent” might result in greater participation.

She also expressed interested in some revenue-generating ideas, like closing the telecommunications tax and allowing communities to adopt local meals taxes as potential options.

Partisan politics would seem to be alive and well on Beacon Hill. Can you think of any specific current or recent issues on which you have disagreed with your party’s prevailing stand? If not, under what circumstances would you part ways with your party on a vote?
DeGenova: “We are the minority party, and we have to work together and pick our battles carefully,” said DeGenova.

She noted the contributions of current Beacon Hill Republicans like Rep. Brad Hill, who succeeded in passing legislation tightening restrictions on “junior operators” behind the wheel, and Sen. Bruce Tarr, whom she said authored environmental legislation that the governor is now “repackaging.”

She said that she would be looking forward to having Tarr and Hill “teach me the ropes,” adding that given she had been able to get the FBI, CIA and Department of Defense to work together, she saw no reason she would not be able to work effectively in a House controlled by Democrats.

Blaisdell: Blaisdell said that while he had voted for Republicans in the last four national elections, he has also voted for Democrats and said that, as a state representative, he would explore each issue individually, and would not be surprised to find himself voting across party lines.

Ehrlich: Ehrlich cited the state’s tight grip on its Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, as one issue on which she may have different thoughts from her party. She noted all the dire news about the economy and said “cities and towns need relief.”

She added, “I think it’s raining.”
She said, more generally, she is a policy person, rather than a partisan person.

“Policy comes first,” she said. “People come first.”
Archilla: Archilla said that he is running as both a “progressive” and “pragmatic” Democrat.

On the floated figure of releasing $450 million from the Rainy Day Fund, for example, Archilla suggested that $450 million might be excessive, but perhaps $200 million would help while “maintaining the integrity” of the fund.

He also mentioned that he had certain “core values” that he would not compromise, even under pressure from the House leadership.

This is an education question. How would you address Chapter 70 Education funding inequities, special education and charter school funding?
Blaisdell: Blaisdell noted that earlier in the day word had come down about a $223 million increase in Chapter 70 aid for the coming fiscal year.

“If that figure is correct, it will be very helpful for the communities in Massachusetts,” Blaisdell said.

Nonetheless, he said that the state and, indeed, the whole country are facing “very hard times.” He noted efforts on the federal level to stimulate the economy and indicated that brightening the overall economic picture would be important for money to trickle down to local communities.

DeGenova: DeGenova said she was heartened to learn of a potential increase in education aid but said the governor “could be releasing more” if he were not “squandering” taxpayer dollars on proposals to grant illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates and limiting employers’ access to criminal background information, which she called “hazy propositions” that would consume tax dollars.

She said towns in and around the district are “going bankrupt” and linked the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants to Swampscott, where she noted officials are considering closing a second elementary school in a year.

Never mind illegal immigrants, “we can’t afford to send our own kids to good schools,” said DeGenova.

Archilla: Archilla said the effect of stressed municipal budgets on education was a big part of his motivation for entering the race. He described how he was left scratching his head hearing Swampscott school officials discuss eliminating librarians at the town’s schools.

He said that the state’s plan to phase out over five years inequities in the Chapter 70 formula that are hurting towns like Marblehead and Swampscott is too gradual. Pointing to a kindergarten student who would be in the fifth grade by the time the local towns’ education aid got to a more equitable level, Archilla said, “We can’t wait five years.”

He pitched a plan by which charter schools and special education would be funded by “dedicated revenue streams,” eliminating a situation which he said currently pits parents within a community against one another for the same limited pool of money.

Ehrlich: Ehrlich suggested that Chapter 70, created as part of the Education Reform Act of 1993, has since become outdated, in large part due to “unfunded mandates,” like the No Child Left Behind act and MCAS testing.

She agreed that five years was too long to wait for Marblehead and Swampscott to come up to the 17.5 percent “baseline” for the state’s contribution to their educational costs.

Ehrlich believes the state needs to pitch in to help cities and towns pay for transportation costs relating to special education, noting that one town in the district has to currently foot the entire $500,000 bill for such costs. She also suggested that insurance companies need to pay for medical expenses related to special education.

This is a question submitted by a Reporter reader: What are your thoughts on public transportation in the district? What is working and what needs improvement? Would you make issues of traffic, transportation and infrastructure a legislative priority? And if elected, would you personally take public transportation to and from Boston?
DeGenova: DeGenova said she “doesn’t mind” public transportation, having used it extensively in D.C. and Europe, but noted its impracticality for Marblehead residents, whom she said probably would not look favorable on extending the subway into town. She did note that, if it were accessible, it would be beneficial to the environment if more people used public transportation.

Blaisdell: Blaisdell said that locally there are not the major problems with roads that are seen elsewhere in the state. He reiterated his concern about the impact on Routes 1 and 1A of a casino coming to Suffolk Downs.

“You would probably see a lot of people finding ways through residential districts [that don’t currently have traffic issues],” he said.

He said he is interested in hearing how the governor suggests funding a proposed $12 billion in infrastructure improvements.

He added that, if elected, he thinks he would be a “regular customer” of the MBTA.

Ehrlich: Ehrlich said she is “all for public transportation,” given the energy and environmental benefits. She said she would try to take public transportation as much as her schedule allowed.

She noted that talks about extending the Blue Line out into Lynn have been going on pretty much throughout her life but, now that some money has been earmarked to study the possibility further, perhaps the project can finally move forward.

Archilla: Archilla noted that he “always” took public transportation while working in Boston.

He used the MBTA as a positive example of a properly funded mandate and the type of “different revenue stream” that he had discussed with respect to special education and charter schools.

He said he is mindful of the issues of traffic and density that have plagued the 8th Essex District, particularly the rush-hour congestion along Lynn Shore Drive. He also said North Shore residents have “taken it on the chin” with toll increases and that, if elected, he would fight to make that no longer the case.

This is a question about where and how you’d be effective in the Legislature: As a new legislator, given your choice, to which committees would you like to be appointed and what are you hoping to accomplish for Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn through these activities?
Blaisdell: Blaisdell said he was pleased to read that Marblehead and Swampscott’s state Sen. Thomas McGee had been chosen as chairperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee and said he would feel “very honored” to serve on a similar committee. He added that his years of work with the police department, in the courts and jails would likely be a benefit to a public-safety committee.

Whichever committee he might be appointed to, he said he would “give 110 percent to somehow bring something back to the district.”

DeGenova; DeGenova listed a number of areas of interest: public safety, homeland security, Ways and Means, education (citing her bachelor’s degree in education from Syracuse University and her daughter, a product of the Marblehead school system), seniors and veterans (citing her work with wounded soldiers in Germany).

She said she is not running “because I need a second retirement” but rather “because I choose to continue my public service.”

Archilla: Archilla noted that, as a freshman legislator, he would likely not have a lot to say about the committees to which he would be appointed but that, by educating himself thoroughly on the work of any committees to which he would be ultimately appointed, he would gain the respect of the House leadership, which would only benefit the district in the long run.

He also touted his skills at building relationships throughout Essex County and beyond. The fact that he would be a familiar face to some already on Beacon Hill is “certainly not a disadvantage,” he said.

Ehrlich: Ehrlich noted she has testified before many committees at the State House, and placed Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Ways and Means on her wish list. “Hammering out deals” is something she has “done repeatedly in the past.”

Comment, if you will, on the state of affordable housing in the district. Do you support efforts to repeal Chapter 40B, the comprehensive-permit law?
DeGenova: DeGenova joked that the way the values local homes are declining, soon everything is going to be “affordable” in Swampscott, Lynn and Marblehead.

She said she supported improves housing for the elderly, noting she had been “amazed” as the state of such housing as she toured the district. She added that she is very sensitive to the issue of homelessness, having volunteered with the Pine Street Inn and Women’s Lunch Place in Boston.

She said cities and towns need to be “very careful about motives of developers” and said she favored “smart growth” approaches and alternatives to 40B like 40R and 40S. She stressed the need to “build partnerships,” saying that economic growth could have benefits throughout the community.

Blaisdell: Blaisdell praised the way the Marblehead Housing Authority has maintained its 307 units.

He said he “certainly favored the 40R approach,” noting the assistance communities receive to offset the demands new housing developments place on local schools and infrastructure. He also said that 40R allows town fathers to be more involved with ensuring projects match the character of the town.

Ehrlich: Ehrlich noted that Marblehead and Swampscott are unlikely to ever reach the 10-percent affordable-housing threshold, which would make them no longer susceptible to projects built under Chapter 40B. She called 40R and 40S “interesting alternatives” and said the “cause [of affordable housing] is noble,” saying it is important that the people who work in a community be able to afford to live there, too.

Archilla: Archilla said he would “not be so quick to repeal 40B.”
“The real issue is tension between zoning boards and developers,” he said. “Nobody likes to be told what they have to do.”

He stressed the importance of educating people on the issue of affordable housing, which involves allowing young working couples to raise families and stay in communities where they grew up.

What kind of energy policy would you support for the Commonwealth?
Blaisdell: Blaisdell said the state has thus far “missed the boat” on a couple of occasions in not encouraging smarter energy practices. He favors encouraging the purchase of both high-mileage, hybrid vehicles and energy efficient products like light bulbs by allowing consumers to purchase them tax free.

He lauded efforts to generate new forms of energy, including wind power.

DeGenova: DeGenova noted she drives a Mini Cooper and uses energy-efficient light bulbs and agreed with the need to decrease the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

She noted the state is fortunate to have at its disposal the cutting-edge research on energy conservation and clean air at institutions like MIT. She said she would work closely with Senator Tarr on his environmental legislation.

Archilla: Archilla said that, while his opponent may have made a name for herself pursuing environmental causes, “We’re all environmentalists” who want “pristine” beaches to enjoy with family, clean water to drink and pure air to breathe.

Archilla talked about the need to set long-term goals and “promote green solutions.”

Ehrlich: Ehrlich noted that, through her work to clean up the Salem Power Plant, she had caught the “policy bug,” which led her to attend Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she became the founder and president of the Kennedy School Energy Caucus.

She said she has explored energy on all levels, from local to global, and pointed to a “stunning lack of leadership” on the federal level. Where progress is happening, said Ehrlich, is locally, citing the examples of the town of Hull, which gets 100 percent of its electricity from the wind, and the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, which is harnessing the energy beneath the earth’s surface to heat and cool one of its buildings, a project that Ehrlich said will pay for itself in five years.

She noted efforts on the state level to alter consumer behavior, reach the targets of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and have state workers drive hybrid cars.

“The little things do matter,” she said.

No rest for candidates

After a short breather, the candidates were off Tuesday to another forum, facing questions from the Swampscott Board of Selectmen and School Committee. You can read coverage of that event on the Swampscott Reporter's Web site here.