State treasurer weighs in on MBTA debate

[0:38]" You know I don't think it's a good time for fear increased so I would agree that your -- the public hearing good idea but. He just postponing it and it makes cents. You know. Technically at -- I mean he has worked as a separate authority for a number of -- so to say that they are not independent or an independent. And couldn't give him as a kind of information that the governor. I just think it's a part smokescreen to discredit. The previous general manager and and again try to put off with what they must seem -- it was inevitable which is there preached."

[1:13]" Why is the big deal over the general manager of the MBTA who was forced out of his job with a very. And shiny golden parachute of 327000. Dollars. Why is -- a personal vendetta."

[1:27]" It must be because I don't know any other way could be because. That the gentleman had not been criticized by the governor prior true. The push out it and it just doesn't make sense to be paying someone that kind of money. Who was willing to serve out his term that was although last march of next year I think. If you were told mr. about specific terms are in March and I want you to give me an independent assessment. Or we you'd think the team needs to go right I think he could report to get routine to do. That the team that was in place minus mystical process is going to be assisting this outside group in gather all the information so. I don't see what they need a rush was four unless it was political."

[2:25]" What's going. Are you will -- musical chairs I don't think it -- team knows who they want on their team right now. It's it's unfortunate because transportation in his seat he -- part of the budget huge part of budget -- endorsed or -- the world people aren't. Profitability and after -- as much of the going into transportation. Which makes me question you know where the money's going -- who's overseeing. It is the -- in -- can't get its leadership in place. So after three years -- it is extremely frustrating especially given that school note for those street people are people that the governor brought himself."

[3:04]" And of the what do you did you other robust used it would do you personally mr. treasure."

[3:09]" I think he can't find -- I mean it wasn't prosecuted top agency I certainly and the criticisms in terms of how he seemed unwilling to take on some of the the labor management challenges to keep presents. There's no question about that but he was saddled with a tremendous amount of debt. Try to make trains on time. But I certainly don't think that after four and two record years for a -- unit that it was necessary. To discredit M. And actually come out to duel with nine months and then catalyst it was an extra 32530000. Dolls were. Eight that we do need to especially when he was willing to work to the end forces and according it would have been willing to. Has stayed on insert doubt before contracts so it I think he did a good nut jobs in Cadillac. You know who the lack of any criticism up until the last month just news does bewilder."

[4:06]" Couple of the few Republicans up on the hill have written a letter urging -- James -- we seek. The still new transportation secretary of the one who was. Behind it the orchestration of these in -- the firing of of that and from us this that he be replaced who what's your thought about --"

[4:26]" I don't know enough about that situation saying that the governor. It would probably create more chaos right now the capital. It was to get rid of or mr. out she was to leave I think for their worst governors going to in which you know we see through his term. In an -- present a case that mr. so she can. Can fix this problems -- major major problem ever transportation and get to reform enacted in starts saving some money. So that would rock concert going back to taxpayers twelve Ayers and she writers. Asking them for more money recession is just it's just not acceptable so. I'm hopeful that -- we see Ken can't straighten ship out but I think the governor for better or worse is picked it was gonna have to live with the into the in this term."

[5:19]" No we haven't we have it and I don't think it's understandable given given what I've done over the past months. But it was unfortunate that it pride and act or aren't media over a year now that we really haven't. Separate talks about the State's finances which is really got my concern civil Bashir announced."

[5:38]" The tool if you owe it to the people of the commonwealth. To put aside whatever differences you have and to talk about one too many people lose his topic eighties these days US economy."

[5:49]" Well I -- get our offices to work together. -- work week who worked closely with -- Who -- chief financial officer. So I don't think this state is suffering. For the lack of art communication but it is unfortunate given. Information that we have been. Some of the saint they're trying to do or at least a -- administration two I don't feel it's been getting up to have. Or it has been easy -- been -- or so. But I don't think the State's effort because of that it's unfortunate. I wish it wasn't the case -- going to -- before war. I mean it breaks from the party. We better. Minor communications. And I could feel comfortable calling and talking about my concerns but. I didn't work through the channels that are present that you needed to US secretary. Or other members of his staff and didn't seem to be hurt so you know it just went another direction. But again we have make sure. Then on key financial issues and terms of -- in terms of cash flow on the issue that the state doesn't money. We've worked well enough to -- so that it hasn't hurt the club -- bottom line."

[7:03]" How has the -- of their in the Italy's case."

[7:07]" Kind of rotten to -- I mean the tax increase. Didn't make anyone happy are certainly in -- anyone popular. I think the legislature is now it and prices frustrated. With the governor's sharpest because at least they expected that the tax increase was going to keep other costs down. Specifically this cheap fares as well patrols. And yet they -- nanny -- CEO that it been down this let. As far as that goes so I think it was pretty -- And and I think that's somewhat reflective of the economy as well people are angry. Revenues are coming in -- really happy answers as to how to stem the flow in and out of -- also budget so. And you know I think it's always -- maybe a little bit rudderless so ridiculous right now. In the sense that people just aren't sure. How bad it's gonna get at least from the state perspectives in 2000 in this system you are right now."

[8:28]" Well I run I think there were -- which I think people are are really hungry for change real change. Not just party change are switching parties is as we have done the past. I'm in it -- to some election. You know solve problems. Some of that relates the middle class. I don't think that the into the duties are to -- any will be able party. Independent Republican or Democrat will be -- What I do what date present is that the right. -- for the future of this state how to get -- working again how to grow jobs grow the economy so. But yeah I think I think any arrests. A real chance I do think it is is that a -- and an independent. Could be elected governor next year anyway it's."

[9:21]" Well I won't sign any tax increase I won't vote for a tax increase I think it's. I know Republican governors in the past and promised no tax increases in the may have passed over their vetoes so I think is more than just saying it but yeah I I would not sign or vote for tax increase. If I was elected governor -- for -- as -- service since we've got enough money. And people or looking for us to cut -- Before we raised taxes so that we can certainly live with him what was -- that we if it was -- back 5%. I think we could live within that is."

[9:55]" Well that -- rolled up in income tax or sales tax. Probably -- to ask if there are temporary and governor -- called the temporary income tax in the."

[10:07]" Well I'm not I think it was not Dukakis actually. We did that."

[10:11]" There was interest -- I thought of the original the original tax that was in the first place --"

[10:17]" already have a -- have a politician tries to tell you that tax experts who watch while. Spanking and we hope it's always said that when a recession and lowered in the -- department once you start spending money what should commit to spending programs. -- certain groups of people it's really really hard to top that spending he develops sort of you know. The group of opponents -- that spending in that period. It's sort of all grows up around it can become very defensive about it in if -- sport beginning -- there's cuts in place so. It's really hard I do think. This sales tax increase. And needs to should be rolled back. But it's not it's the very least that all taxes which they operate it's not property more than that and that includes tolls and she cares and knows a rock cost there -- Born you know most about middle class so low class people. In the need to work and we can make it more difficult for them to get to work -- budgets by seeking more money."

[11:20]" State treasurer and perhaps in the future announced. Gubernatorial candidates in -- thanks a million. And a bullet."