Massachusetts’ political landscape will have changed when students return to Boston from winter break in January. The state’s voters will get their first glimpses of the governor they elected Nov. 5, and Massachusetts politicians will officially begin the task of bridging an ever-widening budget gap and tackling what some have called the state’s worst economic times since the depression.
To deal with the state’s problems in the upcoming term, Governor-elect Mitt Romney and state legislators must continue the bipartisan attitude that has permeated the transition period while still pressing for innovative solutions, and they must start immediately in January. The state will need new perspectives and ideas, which is the reason Romney was elected. When students come back to school, they should expect that he will have started to implement his new ideas and brought his businesslike desire for efficiency to state government. Though politicians throughout the Statehouse must maintain proper priorities with respect to spreading state resources, they must make the necessary cuts and dive head-on into the state’s budgetary issues.
In January, Romney must take advantage of what should be a relatively generous honeymoon period from Massachusetts voters. As they showed Nov. 5, the state’s citizens are ready for changes on Beacon Hill. Romney is a person who not only promised change, but has the real ability to bring it. Though he must not be overly confrontational, he must use the mandate given to him on Election Day and enforce discipline within the state’s bureaucratic framework. He must make cuts where necessary and come face to face with difficult decisions while it is still politically possible. He will be given a longer rope during his first few months in office, and he must take advantage of that extra leeway.
At the same time, he should not make tough decisions alone. He must reach out to the overwhelmingly Democratic state legislative bodies and bring them on-board with his plans. If he fails to do so, he will be in for a long four years voters will not continue to give him the benefit of the doubt once budgetary realities become clear and tough cuts are made. If he wants to avoid the partisan squabbling that killed acting Governor Jane Swift’s re-election chances, he must make budget choices with the input and support of Democrats.
Massachusetts Democrats also should give Romney a chance to show his gubernatorial abilities during his first few months in office. His career record shows he is clearly an able manager and successful businessman skills which will likely be needed to deal with projected deficits of at least $2 billion. He is an intelligent person with some interesting ideas for solutions to state problems. And the bipartisan transition team he assembled is a perfect example of his ability to reach across the aisle. Democrats should trust he will be able to add positively to the state’s situation, while not jeopardizing programs that help the state’s neediest.
However, voters must be ready to hold Romney and other Statehouse legislators accountable and keep them on the right track for dealing with budget problems. Priorities must be kept in-line. While cuts should come from the state’s less-necessary programs and dollars should be cut through more efficient management, Beacon Hill must be ready to maintain programs that keep society’s poorest from sinking in tough economic times. Romney must remember that, while efficiency may be welcome in some areas, government’s first priority must be to provide quality goods and services to those in need. In government, the bottom line is not necessarily the bottom line. If Romney strays too far from the mission of good government, legislators and voters must be ready to properly show him their dissatisfaction.
Political climate change will have begun when students return to Boston University after their month-long break. Romney and state legislators must work hard – and immediately – to ensure that they are bringing warmer times to Massachusetts, even as the bitter winds of economic hardship chap their faces.
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