This weekend in Worcester was a big victory for our campaign – we cleared the bar and qualified for the Democratic Primary ballot. With polls showing that our message of solving problems and getting results is connecting with our state, Democratic convention delegates made the right choice, giving voters an opportunity to decide for themselves which Massachusetts Democrat will beat Kerry Healey in November.
I’m grateful to you for the chance to win voters’ support, but I’m not resting on this past weekend’s laurels. Today I’m releasing my common-sense ideas on how to get more results and accountability out of state government. And to show how serious I am about it, I’m making a deal with the people of Massachusetts — I commit to getting these seven things done. If I don’t, I expect you to hold me accountable.
Here’s my deal:
Conduct a top-to-bottom performance review of every major state program
I will make state government more efficient by developing specific goals and benchmarks for every major state program. By setting a high standard for each program and making it public, government will have a much harder time avoiding accountability. Each performance review will be evaluated to assess effectiveness and address potential inefficiencies. This data will be available to the public in the form of a spending statement so you know actually know where your tax dollars are going, and you know how well the state programs those dollars fund are actually performing.
Eliminate wasteful state spending
I will take a critical look at every agency and program – from expenditures like employee travel to small details like government cell phone bills- and enforce good spending practices so people get good value for their tax dollar.
Crack down on Big Dig-like cost overruns
As consumers, we double-check our bills and credit card statements to make sure we don’t get overcharged. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with projects like the Big Dig, the government is not nearly as careful with your tax dollars. I will make sure that our cost estimates for capital projects are more accurate, and I’ll refuse to do business with companies that habitually overrun costs. If you can’t do the job on time and on budget, then you can’t do business with the state.
Prepare long-term budgets
I’ve been in the business world for two decades, and I’ve never encountered a successful business that only budgets one year in advance. It makes it nearly impossible to plan or maintain fiscal discipline. As Governor, I will draft long-term budgets and commission long-term revenue forecasts to help us plan for the future.
Improve and expand the reach of e-government
The Internet is revolutionizing our economy and our lives, making daily tasks more convenient and more cost effective while increasing access to information. Yet government lags behind. I will work to ensure that we offer a 21st century e-government that is current and accurate, while expanding the reach of e-government to cut costs and improve service at both the state and local level.
Hold regular town hall meetings in every region of the state
On-the-record, public meetings with residents will allow for the accessibility that our current administration is lacking. Photo ops are great ways for politicians to get the coverage they want, but useless for getting voters the answers they want.
Be a full-time, full-term Governor
Republican governors have failed to get results for us, and one of the primary reasons is their consistent use of our Governor’s office as a stepping stone. I love our state, and I am firmly committed to fulfilling my term. You won’t see me making regular trips to Iowa and New Hampshire. My goal is to be Governor of Massachusetts. Period.
As a successful business leader and community activist, I know that accountability is a crucial ingredient in getting results. I’ll improve accountability in Massachusetts government by making it more transparent and giving citizens a greater opportunity to participate.
As always, if you have questions, please let our campaign know using the “Ask Chris” feature on our website: http://www.gabrieli.org/signUp.jsp?key=1057
To join our campaign as a volunteer, go here: http://www.gabrieli.org/signUp.jsp?key=1054
Sincerely,
Chris Gabrieli
and I hope he stick to them. Still doesn’t mean I will vote or work for him in the primary, but may in the general. We shall see what kind of campaign this ends up being, but if the mudsliging from all sides here today is any indication this is going to get ugly, quickly, letting the Republicans walk away with it again. There has not been a Democratic Governor since I have been able to vote and I am getting tired of it.
Thanks for posting. Disclosure: I am a Reilly supporter, but I’ve always felt Gabrieli was a decent guy. I’m not sure what he is doing in this race besides trying to stake out some ground between the other two candidates, but that’s his right.
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I realize that Gabrieli got a late jump on the campaign and probably needs to lay down a foundation before building a house, but this seems awfully light in comparison to the detailed policy plans that other candidates have already offered. Reilly has released five specific plans as part of his “Massachusetts Action Plan.”
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Gabrieli says that his “message of solving problems and getting results is connecting with our state.” Maybe that’s what he sees in the poll numbers, but I think a more honest assessment is that his numbers are a reflection of his multimillion dollar ad blitz while neither of his opponents were on the air.
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Longer term budgeting sounds interesting, but ecverything else is pretty much apple pie.
These are pretty safe positions, but at least it is a start for him. Since we are posting links to position papers Devals are available here.
Why? Any reasonable person who’s followed this guy’s rhetoric should be COMPLETELY UNDRWHELMED! not “a little under whelmed”
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You disappoint me MD.
Straighten Up or Ship Out!
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Seriously though, Reilly’s isn’t much better. Just a wish list. But i still think he will win nomination.
Sorry, this guy just doesn’t cut it. He is going to do the following?
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1. Conduct a top to bottom performance review.
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p> Wow! What a great “new idea”.
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Question for Gabs:
Based on your extensive business and financial background, involvement with the state in education and other issues, and a candidate in 3 major elections, what examples of inefficiencies and future inefficiencies come to your mind?
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2. Eliminate wasteful spending. Get good value for tax dollar. Wow! What great ânew ideaâ.
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And how are you going to do this? By critically looking at everything
“from expenditures like employee travel to small details like government cell phone bills” you say.
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So I guess with your extensive experience, and great and new ideas you consider employee travel a huge expense. Our problems are solved when we make sure a mid level manager in some agency doesnât get the âGrand Slamâ breakfast on the one and only out of town professional conference. The Herald can get 3 days of front page stories out of that.
Fantastic!
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3. Crack down on Big Dig-like cost overruns.
Wow! What a great “new idea”.
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And How are you going to do this Gabs?
By treating state contracts like the credit card bill of the average middle class consumer? Thatâs your answer Gabs?
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4. Prepare long-term budgets
Wow, what a great idea.
Tell us how, Gabs. I may be wrong but I believe that requires a change to the state constitution. (DAVID – CALL To DAVID)
If not agreement from the legislature. You are not running for CEO of the state Gabs. No matter how much $$$ you spend.
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5. Be a full-time Governor. Wow! What a great “new idea”.
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6. Improve and expand the reach of e-government. Wow! What a great ânew idea.â Gabs said, “Yeah, it’s amazing, it’s called the internet. Wait until we introduce this to state government. I’ll tell you all about it. But first, I need you tell me about O.J. killing his wife. Wait until I tell people about that.â
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7. Hold regular town hall meetings in every region of the state. Wow! What a great “mew idea.”
Maybe other candidates should try town meetings? Maybe the President? Or maybe local and national news stations?
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For a candidate who touts himself as the “wait-to-they-get a-load-of-my-ideas” candidate, this naive, insulting, list or “deal” is ten times worse than Reilly’s wish list.
Deal ,what deal? What I am stupid?
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Not a single specific.
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I am beginning to think that in the venture capitalist boardroom ideas room Gabs is more of a âbeing thereâ sort of fellow.
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And Lucky when it comes to $$$.
Christ, even his nanny hit the lottery for over $100 million.
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