Baker Proposes Reforms to Increase Government Accountability
Friday, August 08, 2014
These reforms are designed to make Beacon Hill more accountable, transparent, and geared toward providing real customer service to Massachusetts taxpayers.
“The people of Massachusetts deserve a state government that gets out of the way, is innovative and designed to truly serve them, not the other way around,” said Charlie Baker. “One-party rule on Beacon Hill is entrenched, protected by special interests that outweigh the needs of the people and as Governor, I will lead a new direction where people come first and politics is secondary.”
Baker also announced some electoral reforms to shorten the campaign season and level the playing field. Baker says that the current system is designed to protect incumbents, something these reforms would set to change.
Good Government Reform
Baker proposed four key government reforms aimed toward increasing the accountability of Massachusetts’ government.
These four reforms – improving customer service, creating a state government dashboard, reviewing all regulations, and reviewing and reforming all quasi-publics – are praised by Baker for being “good government reforms,” which can ultimately improve the Massachusetts government in the future.
“Government should never forget that its purpose is to serve the people,” said Baker about government customer service. “Unfortunately, the experience of dealing with the state government is anything but customer-friendly for many people and organizations. We should utilize technology and the great innovative and creative talent in our state to develop a bold plan for transforming the experience of dealing with state government, both online and in person.”
Competitive Elections
Additionally, Baker wants to see reform for the election cycle and process, one that he currently believes favors the incumbent.
The three reforms – closing loopholes that benefit special interests, moving the state primary to earlier in the year, and changing the campaign finance calendar to a primary/general calendar – would all make for a much more competitive election, according to Baker.
“Currently, Massachusetts campaign finance laws, including personal donation limits, are based on a calendar year,” said Baker about changing the campaign finance calendar. “This lengthens campaigns and protects incumbents because candidates need to fundraise in the year prior to the election to maximize fundraising. We should instead have a primary/general calendar, with a $1000 individual limit for each.”
Related Slideshow: 10 Competitive Legislative Races in Central MA
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