Massachusetts cannot afford Patrick and Baker

 

 

 

Today the Cahill Campaign released the following regarding Charlie Baker’s recent campaign stunt and his refusal to take responsibility for his dismal record in state government and his involvement with the Patrick Administration.

 

“It’s quite simple. Deval Patrick and Charlie Baker have cost taxpayers millions of dollars with reckless spending and borrowing schemes. Treasurer Cahill’s Administration has paid down debt and returned hundreds of millions of dollars in local aid to cities and towns. He has saved taxpayers money and used their dollars responsibly and that is what he will continue to do as Governor,” said Cahill Campaign Manager Adam Meldrum. “Massachusetts cannot afford four years of Charlie Baker any more than it can afford four more years of Deval Patrick.”

 

During his time as Treasurer, Cahill has been outspoken about his opposition to the policies of the Patrick Administration. The Cahill Campaign released a web video today that outlines the media coverage of Cahill’s calls for more fiscal responsibility. 

 

 

“Treasurer Cahill has been very outspoken over the last four years concerning the reckless spending of the Patrick Administration. Now that Charlie Baker is running for Governor he has decided to share his thoughts on the matter,” said Meldrum.

 

In 2006, Charlie Baker shaped the budget and policies the Patrick Administration has implemented over the last four years by serving on Deval Patrick’s transition team.

 

“As a key member of the Patrick transition team, Charlie Baker is responsible for helping set in motion the failed policies of the Patrick Administration. Until recently Charlie Baker was off making millions of dollars for himself by using his insider connections and Enron-like corporate accounting gimmicks to ‘turn around’ Harvard Pilgrim. However, now it is campaign season and Mr. Baker is running for Governor. His campaign has amounted to nothing more than Mr. Baker wildly yelling about the out of control spending on Beacon Hill. He is obviously hoping that his over the top and out of control antics will distract voters from remembering the significant role he has played in creating this culture over the last two decades,” said Meldrum.

 

 

“We're trying to be more fiscally prudent, Cahill said. It's a much more transparent way to do this.” -The Daily News Transcript, April 13, 2004

 

“Over the past four years, I have been forced to say no to mayors, superintendents, city councils, legislators, retirees and cabinet secretaries when the numbers did not meet expectations,” Cahill said. “Over the next four years we must all be prepared to do the same.” -Statehouse News Service, January 17, 2006

 

“We’re spending more money than we're bringing in at this point and that has caused a cash shortage,” Cahill said. “When we have to borrow to pay for budget needs, that's a problem.”

 

“I want to prepare the incoming administrations and the Legislature for what could be some tough times," Cahill told the Boston Globe. “The need to know the truth and the truth is that we have a cash-flow crunch, maybe not a crisis but certainly a cash-flow shortage. It’s not good for a household and it’s not good for government” -The Standard Times, December 6, 2006

 

“Cahill told lawmakers and Patrick administration officials that cash flow is a ‘strong indicator of the state’s overall economic health’ and urged them to exercise greater fiscal restraint, noting that for the first time in four years the state is utilizing $240 million from its rainy day fund to cover ‘immediate needs.’” -State House News Service, December 28, 2007

 

“Gov. Deval Patrick's top budget official said she agrees with Cahill's cautious approach, but said she does not see the need for drastic budget cuts immediately…Right now our revenues are on or above benchmark. We are watching it closely, and we do need to react if they begin to fall short.” -The Boston Herald, March 26, 2008

 

“Hiking taxes is a bad idea so state officials need to ‘at least level fund’ spending and possibly cut the budget,” Cahill said. -The Eagle-Tribune, March 26, 2008

 

“Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill is warning that the state is spending too much, likely forcing him to borrow another $400 million to provide state aid to cities and towns. Cahill said a ‘spending problem’ is developing in state government at a time when the nation is moving toward a recession.” -The Republican, March 27, 2008

 

“The state’s cities and towns better start saving, State Treasurer Timothy Cahill said yesterday, because they’ll need it to weather the state’s coming economic storm…No matter how bad this year was, 2009 is going to be worse,” -The Boston Herald, April 2, 2008

 

“Cahill warned that some major-ticket items might have to be curtailed, including some of the Governor Deval Patrick’s priorities, such as expanding prekindergarten classes, repairing bridges, and increasing healthcare spending.” -The Boston Globe, September 26, 2008

 

“Treasurer Timothy Cahill predicted the state can't afford the $28.2 billion budget lawmakers approved less than two months ago… I think painful cuts are imminent unless an enormous amount of money comes into the state in the next few weeks,’ Cahill said.” -The Boston Herald, September 26, 2008