Baker And Anti-Override Supporters Say No More Taxation

Charlie Baker reacted to this week's special election in Marblehead amid talk the no votes on all 10 ballot questions is his golden ticket to winning in the fall.

The gubernatorial candidate said today Marblehead sent the message loud and clear, they do not want increased taxes.

"This is exactly what I've been hearing from people across the state – they have had enough of higher taxes, more spending and Beacon Hill living with a different set of rules than everyone else," Baker said. "Beacon Hill has to clean up its act so cities and towns are not forced to cut teachers, cut programs and raise taxes. People have had enough, and for good reason." 

Baker went on to highlight he is the only candidate who supports many of the local reforms that cities and towns have been asking for, such as what is known as "plan design," which would give municipalities the flexibility to set co-pays and deductibles for employees, the same flexibility the state has for health care plans.

Mayors and city managers have been "begging" for this according to Baker's cam The state Taxpayers Foundation has estimated this change will save communities $100 million a year.

Marblehead resident Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation, a statewide anti-tax group, said the town owes voters an apology.

"I think it's the entire revolution 2010, looking at the tea party people who are involved and people are paying attention and are going to do something about it," Anderson said. "I would have been surprised if we hadn't been so focused on change over the last year. But Marblehead, like everyone else, is fed up."

Anderson said she believes the special election ended up in 10 no votes because of a combination of things.

"People are unemployed and on fixed incomes and this year we are fed up with the system," she said. "Yeah, there were too many questions, but it wasn't because people were confused they voted no. They voted no people they are angry with the township for not prioritizing and instead throwing everything out there."

Anderson points the finger at the Board of Selectmen noting they have the power to choose what goes on a special election ballot. Just because something is approved at Town Meeting, does not mean selectmen can't prioritize and decide what residents will vote on.

"Proposition 2 1/2 was meant for emergency situations or court judgements," Anderson said. "It wasn't so towns could use overrides for operating expenses."

Anderson added people were also insulted by items such as the artificial turf and the claim it would help the environment. 

"A lot of people would have voted for the Dinsmores, but we had to keep it simple and vote no on everything," she said. "It's because the selectmen show no leadership abilities."

Going forward, Anderson said it will be interesting to see what happens with the Glover School Building Committee's push to hold another Town Hall meeting and election in the fall and whether the Board of Health will try to get the landfill capping passed again.

"After the town and selectmen apologize to voters for having no leadership and just aplauding themselves for their cute actions  at Town Meeting, then maybe they can come in and say 'let's try this again and here are the important items we need to pass.'"

Anderson also said if an election is to occur, she hopes it's on Nov. 2, and not on another day, at an additional expense to taxpayers.