MA State Treasurer Cahill Runs for Governor
The Democrat Turned Independent Says the Spendthrift Days are Done
Mr. Cahill spoke about the tension many campaigns experience when the balance is between helping the middle class and working families and lowering taxes.
“In order to help the middle class we have to reduce taxes. I don’t think there’s any question that the middle class tends to bear the biggest burden, especially with the sales tax,” Mr. Cahill said. “Everyone’s preparing to go back to school, to provide for their children and their families. It makes it more difficult.”
He added that it’s the middle class that carries the biggest burden, “It really falls most on the middle class and I want to try to alleviate that. By rolling back that tax or at the very least holding the line on any future increases.”
As to whether Massachusetts residents are overly taxed, “I think they are. If you ask them, they think they are. We have to do in government what people have been doing at home. That’s pay down our debt and stop buying things we can’t afford on credit. We have to live within our means.”
Mr. Cahill also believes his ideas are mainstream. “I don’t think it’s radical to try to protect the working people and the middle class. I don’t think it’s easy; but I think it’s doable. If people are having to do it at home, they should be able to expect that their government will do it.”
When asked how he’s going to choose which programs to cut, he didn’t offer any specifics said spoke generally, “It’s going to be a challenge. I don’t think we’re going to have the option of spending more.”
It's Also About Taxes
“I don’t think the taxes that have been raised are going to bring in the revenue that was projected. People tend to spend less or,” he paused for emphasis. “Or, they spend out of state.”
Mr. Cahill was referring to the many Massachusetts residents who shop in neighboring sales-tax-free New Hampshire. He also included a recent trend, “They buy online today.”
The treasurer turned gubernatorial candidate also talked about a reality caused by the recession.
“People who aren’t working aren’t paying income tax. And they’re certainly not paying the taxes they would be if they were working full time.”
“The best way to solve the problem is to grow the economy,” he said. “The best way to grow the economy is to keep costs down. We also have to give incentives for businesses to invest in Massachusetts.”
“To do that will take time and there will be some pain. In the long run it will be better for the state and we’ll all benefit,” he added.
The Democrat turned Independent says, “It sounds as if Deval Patrick is beatable, but that’s not why I’m running. I’m running because I believe I can do the job that needs to be done.”
“In 2006 the call from the Patrick campaign and the Democrats was, ‘Yes we can.’ I believed that. In 2006 we were could do anything and the sky was the limit.”
That was then. But the next election is next year.
“In 2010 the call we be, ‘No we can’t.’ We can’t do everything and we have to live within our means. I think that’s a message that will resonate regardless of who the governor is or how the race plays out regardless of who my opponents are.”
Mr. Cahill explains that people are overtaxed.
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