Politics & Government

Baker Pledges To Increase Local Aid and Not To Place Unfunded Mandates on Communities

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker and his running mate Karyn Polito spoke to Framingham residents and business leaders at the Herb Connolly Acura dealership on Tuesday afternoon.

"The Commonwealth has a problem with telling cities and towns what to do but not figuring out how to pay for it," said Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker, speaking in Framingham Tuesday afternoon.

Baker pledged not to place unfunded mandates on cities and towns and to set minimum levels of funding so municipalities can budget responsibly.

The Framingham School Committee has complained about unfunded mandates placed on them for several years.

"We we are the only people running who have taken this position," Baker told the group of Framingham business leaders and residents gathered at the Herb Connolly Acura

As part of his campaign, Baker and his running mate have pledged to grow local aid at the same rate that revenue grows, by his second year in office, if elected.

Chris Connolly Jr. gave Baker a tour of the dealership on Route 9 with his running mate for Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito Tuesday afternoon. Connolly's wife Heather is an elected member of the Framingham School Committee and was in attendance.

Baker also talked about schools during his visit to Framingham.

"We have a pretty strong economy in Massachusetts, and we have many great communities, but we do not have a strong economy, great schools and great communities everywhere," said Baker. "I don't want people's zip codes to be defining their opportunities for success."

He said far too many parts of Massachusetts are not participating in the economic recovery, do not have schools that can deliver for their kids, and do not have the kinds of neighborhoods people want to invest in.

Baker also discussed how it is unfair that many folks with kids are paying an additional fee, tax, assessment, etc to have their kids participate in sports, theatre, afterschool activities that should be a part of what the community does. 

(Editor's note: Attached is a video clip of Baker talking about parents writing checks to pay sports, etc.)

The event was not a fundraiser, but an opportunity for Framingham residents to get to know the candidate. Many in attendance had the opportunity to have private conversations with Baker and Polito, while having lunch, which was catered by Foodie Cafe in Framingham.

Chris Connolly Sr., a life-long Democrat, worked with Baker when Baker was Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance, in both Gov. William Weld and the late Gov. Paul Cellucci's adminsitration. Connolly had been in his position under a Democratic governor but stayed on under the Republican governor. He introduced Baker to those in attendance and said he is supporting him for Governor.

Baker, a former Swampscott Selectmen and former CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, ran for Massachusetts governor in 2010 but lost to Deval Patrick 48-42 percent.

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Editor's Note: Originally posted on Wednesday, April 16 at 10:33 p.m. and updated with additional photos.


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