BOSTON—‘Mr. Fix It’, Republican Governor Baker, has officially become ‘Mr. Nix It’ because of his record of status quo leadership, with no real vision of what the Commonwealth needs moving forward, canceling, rather than fixing, projects important for the state's future.

From Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung:

“But let’s all put down our rose-colored glasses. He hasn’t fixed the T or the DCF, and reducing drug abuse is still a work in progress. Baker may some day do all of this, but in my book his inaugural year is defined by what he hasn’t done.”

“A better moniker would be Mr. Nix-It.” …

… “Voters of Massachusetts, we elected Governor No.”

Today, the Massachusetts Democratic Party reminded residents that Mr. Nix Its’ record is even more troubling than first reported.

“Democrats brought Massachusetts back into the leadership business with a bold agenda, but unfortunately, Republican Gov. Baker's status-quo approach is now jeopardizing our ability to remain at the forefront of innovation and job creation,” said MassDems Spokesman Pat Beaudry. 

 

Transportation Projects: Nix ‘Em

· Mr. Nix It is poised to nix Late Night T Service and the Green Line Extension project, nixing transportation options for hundreds of thousands of residents.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/12/14/mbta-poised-end-late-night-service/glWmxphBNHjBsVaFRqs7wO/story.html

 

· These decisions have been called “a reflection of Baker’s priorities”.

o   http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/12/17/the-haves-and-have-nots/IhW8p73hejKfa40f6QWADN/story.html?event=event25

 

Life Science Leadership: Nix It

· Mr. Nix It originally nixed the budget for our critical Life Sciences Center, despite its national industry leadership.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/03/05/baker-proposes-cutting-life-sciences-center-funding/fz1mCYohNnXBIqdAVwGtFP/story.html

 

· Baker’s team nixed the Commonwealth’s presence at the BIO convention, failing to stand behind the $1 billion investment made by Democratic leaders with proven job creation results.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/06/16/baker-top-state-economic-officials-don-make-trip-top-biotech-convention/IewS0rO6RBlIWn2OYGi1vO/story.html

 

· He also Nixed life sciences grants and has not communicated future plans for this critical industry.

o   http://www.statnews.com/2015/11/25/massachusetts-bet-1-billion-life-sciences-new-governor-rethinking-strategy/

 

Arts & Tourism: Nix It

· Mr. Nix It has been criticized by the art community for nixing art programs that help make up the Commonwealth’s cultural identity.

o   http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2015/11/17/mass-legislators-scramble-save-public-art-measure/CGhE39iQVLPuOiw1krU3oK/story.html

 

· He also Nixed public artwork contracts connected to the Green Line Extension.

o   http://www.boston.com/news/2015/11/19/mbta-scraps-green-line-extension-public-art-projects/vm4N4VzVEPlGjkdwmAJ2sJ/story.html

 

· Mr. Nix It Nixed the BCEC expansion, resulting in a huge loss of jobs and economic development projects for the region.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/04/29/baker-administration-halts-convention-center-expansion/2VShiTSm1WWiYdTeSOR3xJ/story.html

 

· And he Nixed tourism funding despite huge growth opportunities. Baker’s tourism chief later resigned.

o   http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2015/10/21/massachusetts-tourism-chief-resigns.html

 

Higher Education: Big Nix on Campus

· Mr. Nix It won’t commit to supporting an important downtown Brockton Campus Center.

o   http://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216602

 

· Mr. Nix it slashed funds from the Bristol Community College campus in Attleboro as well.

o   http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/baker-cuts-bcc-funds/article_1d8a514d-bc3a-5c67-a3f5-035399220e77.html

 

· These are on top of millions of dollars already nixed from the University of Massachusetts.

o   http://www.telegram.com/article/20150722/NEWS/150729700

 

Transparency and Good Government: Nix It

· Mr. Nix It tried to get away with nixing his campaign pledge to make qualifications of new state hires public, before he was caught by the Globe.

o   http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/28/baker-cites-inside-job-outlines-hiring-reforms/H2mz8Z64VHymM8OnKnv3BI/story.html?event=event12

 

· He tried to Nix state law to allow Revenue Commissioner Mark Nunnelly to collect $300,000 from corporate board service.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/15/baker-plan-would-have-let-tax-chief-sit-corporate-boards/egl7xUY6ilDxoBT5oSjKCJ/story.html

 

· The Governor Nixed diversity in our state business development council, which is now 85% white and 80% male, according to the Globe.

o   http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/10/09/baker-economic-development-panel-largely-white-and-male/ExTlTwE1RaRrYVT6QnIyrK/story.html

 

· Mr. Nix It misled the public about a supposed budget deficit left by previous administration, as reported by Commonwealth Magazine.

o   http://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/bakers-dire-deficit-projection-was-off-mark/

 

Experienced Public Servants: Nix ‘Em

· Mr. Nix It was criticized for forced retirements resulting in loss of institutional knowledge in critical agencies.

o   http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/revenue_welfare_transportation.html

 

· Then he rehired former state employees who are already collecting early retirement benefits, receiving wide criticism.  

o   http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/hillary_chabot/2015/12/chabot_gov_charlie_baker_ripped_over_rehirees

AA+ Bond Rating: Nixed?

 

· Wall Street ratings agencies downgraded the Commonwealth’s AA+ credit rating outlook, citing Mr. Nix It’s decision to divert hundreds of millions from Rainy Day account.

o   https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/23/revises-outlook-massachusetts-debt-negative/A54NbfQUA1ObwpwGVmTnNO/story.html

 

The Massachusetts Democratic Party will be tracking Mr. Nix It into the New Year, and beyond, to hold him accountable for this record.

Stay tuned!

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