The Lincoln Journal
November 1, 2001

Democrats agree they’re all better than Gov. Jane Swift

By Mike Bassett, Correspondent

CONCORD — After 10 years in the gubernatorial wilderness, the Democratic
candidates for governor put their bickering aside Sunday to focus on acting
Gov. Jane Swift.

Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Treasury Secretary Shannon O’Brien, Steve
Grossman and Warren Tolman crowed about their credentials and blasted Swift.

The four spoke at a forum at Concord Academy sponsored by the Democratic
town committees of Acton, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln and
Sudbury. A fifth Democrat, unannounced candidate Senate President Thomas
Birmingham, was invited but did not attend.

" Whether the issue is Hanscom Field, health care or housing, there’s a lot
of similarities between us, " Tolman, a former Democratic candidate for
lieutenant governor, told the partisan crowd.

" We are all good candidates, " O’Brien added. " We have a group of people
who will do a better job than Jane Swift. "

Each candidate was eager to spell out what distinguishes him or her. Tolman
said that as the only " Clean Elections " candidate, he will " speak up
against business as usual on Beacon Hill. "

The Clean Elections Law gives tax dollars to candidates who agree to limits
on how much money they will raise and spend on their campaigns.

O’Brien argued that she is best equipped to defeat Swift in November.

Galvin talked about his administrative experience and contrasted his ability
to act and " get things done " with Swift.

" She avoids it because she simply can’t do it, " Galvin said.

Steve Grossman, who served as chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party
and the Democratic National Committee, said he would provide " hands-on,
proven, commonsense leadership " and " bold, serious, innovative ideas. "

Grossman offered a five-point, economic stimulus plan that includes a
skills-building tax-credit for work force training and development, and a
six-point plan to combat security concerns in the state.

O’Brien said the Water Pollution Abatement Trust — administered by her
department — should be available to give grants to communities to assess the
vulnerability of their water supplies.

" Bioterrorism is the area where people are most nervous, " she said.

Galvin said the state health care system is falling apart and that action is
needed to deal with a nursing shortage and to prevent the closing of
community hospitals.

Galvin said the establishment of universal health care in Massachusetts
would be his " first priority. "

His opponents suggested using some of the tobacco settlement money to
significantly reduce the number of uninsured residents.

Massachusetts is expected to receive about $7.6 billion over 25 years as its
share of a settlement between tobacco companies and 46 states to cover the
costs of smokers’ health claims.

On the future of Hanscom Field, an issue of prime importance to Concord and
surrounding towns, Galvin, Tolman and Grossman opposed its expanded use. But
Galvin had a warning.

" In the light of Sept. 11, I think there will be added pressure to use
Hanscom even more than it’s used now, " he said.

Grossman scored Swift and her Republican predecessors for failing to come up
with a regional transportation policy for New England that would take the
pressure off airports like Hanscom.

" The governor of this state has to take a leadership role, " he said.

O’Brien said airports in Worcester, New Hampshire and elsewhere in New
England should be considered before Hanscom.

All agreed that 10 percent is a good target for affordable housing in new
developments. Referring to state cuts in housing over the last decade,
Grossman said " this administration does not believe in housing, affordable
or otherwise.

" Chapter 40B has become a stick, when we could use resources as a carrot, "
he said.

Tolman, who grew up in public housing in Watertown, called it an issue "
close to his heart " and said that Chapter 40B " needs to be tightened up so
that developers cannot use the law against communities. "

The candidates they should work to reduce the pressure on local communities
to pay for education programs required by the state. They made scathing
comments regarding reports that the Swift administration is considering
local aid cuts.

" I think it’s ridiculous to continue to talk about state tax rollbacks,
particularly with the economy slowing down, " Galvin said.

One questioner wondered how a candidate could have an impact with the
Legislature dominating Beacon Hill.

" It seems clear the current Republican governor has been unwilling to speak
up and talk back, " O’Brien responded.

She promised to work the phones and deal with both conservatives and
liberals in order to get things done.

" I’m not worried about who’s leading the House or the Senate, " she said. "
I’ll get the job done by working hard. "

Galvin blamed the " cozy club " culture on Beacon Hill and said it would
have to be changed.

Tolman called himself " someone who’s going to stand up against the politics
of old. "

Tolman lost his bid for lieutenant governor in 1998, when he ran with
gubernatorial candidate Scott Harshbarger. The two received a tepid
endorsement from fellow Democrat and Speaker of the House Tom Finneran.

" I’ve always been willing to pay the price, and I paid the price in 1998, "
Tolman said.

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