The most striking thing about the treasurer’s debate was that there was very little difference between the candidates on issues affecting the office of treasurer. In fact, near the end of the debate the candidates were asked each to respond to four of five questions, and I couldn’t find any difference between the candidates.
The one difference that did occur happened early. Republican Polito said that she wouldn’t seek to increase the lottery’s advertising budget, Democrat Grossman will.
So here’s the conundrum. How aggresively do we want the next Treasurer to market the lottery? Presumably, most of the people on this blog will vote for a progressive, and Grossman is clearly the most progressive candidate.
But there are also a lot of people on this blog who oppose increased gambling. Who should they vote for–the progressive who wants to increase gambling, or the conservative who won’t increase the advertising budget for the lottery?
I understand that I am oversimplifying here. There are people against casinos for other (good) reasons besides the increased gambling. And there may be people who think there are other issues in the treasurer’s race that overide the issue of how the lottery is run.
And I wouldn’t want to take my logic too far, which would lead to us supporting the least capable person we can find, in the hope that their incompetence would lead to less gambling.
But still the race, as it is, is a conundrum.
From what I gather though is that Polito wants to do exactly what the job requires and nothing more; Grossman wants to take a more activist role in investing, financial literacy and transparency. I remember a few months ago Polito “accused” Grossman of trying to be an “activist” Treasurer as if that were a bad thing. Personally I welcome drawing that distinction and for me that favors Grossman.
Among whom? State legislators?
Seriously though, he believes that it should be taught as part of a high school curriculum and training also offered to senior citizens and young families.
I am aware of similar programs put on by the bar association, and see that something similar already exists in the Treasurer’s office.
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p>I’m just concerned that the Treasurer is going to (i) expand the job description, and then (ii) announce that their budget is insufficient for them to operate.