Governor Baker’s Campaign Gets Quick Backing from Fiscal Watchdog

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2017/11/28/governor-bakers-campaign-gets-quick-backing-from-fiscal-watchdog/

Governor Charlie Baker picked up a quick endorsement from a right-of-center fiscal watchdog shortly after announcing he is running for re-election in 2018.

Baker’s campaign let it be known Monday that the Swampscott Republican plans to run for a second term, which isn’t a surprise.

On Tuesday, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance released a statement praising Baker even while acknowledging past disagreements with the governor and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

“The announcement that Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito are running for reelection is great news. They are right for Massachusetts. Taxpayers are best served when they have a fiscally responsible Governor who’s also trying [to] improve accountability and transparency in state government for the citizens,” said Mark Cohen, chairman of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, in a written statement.

Added Paul Craney, board member and spokesman:

“MassFiscal has not always agreed with the Governor on every policy, including the employer tax to pay for MassHealth, but the Governor and Lt. Governor deserve credit for keeping spending under control, trying to modernize the MBTA, and making state government friendlier to taxpayers.”

Baker, who enjoys high favorability ratings in Massachusetts, has governed as a fiscal moderate and a social liberal.