Gov. Charlie Baker will be in studio for a Boston Herald Radio
interview this morning to reflect on his first 100 days in office —
but more importantly on what he plans on getting done now that the
winter storms are behind us and he’s found some possible fixes to the
failed public transit system.
Here are some problems the governor should consider tackling:
• Schools: Education reform should be high on his list. The teachers
unions need to stop calling all the shots, and the first step to
dismantling some of their power is to increase the number of charter
schools in the commonwealth.
Baker’s secretary of education recently told me one of his main
objectives is to do just that, but it will require legislative
approval. Since Baker has managed to maintain an amicable working
relationship with House and Senate Democratic leaders, maybe there’s
an opportunity now to change some minds, hearts and votes.
• The economy: Creating jobs and heating up the business climate
should also be a top priority. Anyone who really believes only 4.8
percent of Bay Staters are out of work is clearly living in a bubble.
The flawed reporting used across the nation doesn’t account for people
under-employed, those who gave up trying, and others who weaseled
their way onto disability because of some phantom back pains. I know
some people genuinely deserve to be on disability, but there’s a lot
of abuse.
This state has long had a bad reputation for being business unfriendly,with high taxes and way too much red tape. According to forbes.com, Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states to do business in — only Hawaii is worse. And they don’t have winter-long snowpocalypses.
• Energy: Baker should abandon Deval Patrick’s love of expensive solar
projects and work with energy companies to create more cost efficient
sources to meet the growing demand. Working families can’t bear
another hike to their utility bills after this year’s double-digit
jump.
• DCF: I have never seen Baker more passionate than when he talked
about the dysfunctions within the Department of Children and Families
last year. Since he took office, DCF has hired hundreds of social
workers and saw an increase to their funding this year. But managing —
and turning around — a demoralized agency is going to require
rolled-up sleeves and follow through.
• And on a more personal note, I’m hoping Gov. Baker will make a
standing monthly date to call in to Boston Herald Radio. We’d love to
have him.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
