July 27, 2009
The first GOP candidate to throw his hat in the 2010 ring for Governor, Christy Mihos, paid a visit to the Milton Republican Town Committee tonight to make his case for office and take questions from local citizens. Mr. Mihos positioned himself as a populist candidate and fiscal conservative who believes that this combination is what the citizens of the Commonwealth want most in the upcoming election. He listed 6 policy points in answers to questions from the audience. He supports:
1) Asking those who join him in public service to agree to waive participation in the State's pension program,
2) Reduce the State's workforce by 10% for a savings of $600mm annually,
3) Lift the cap on Charter Schools,
4) Permit slot machines in authorized race tracks while opposing the opening of casinos,
5) Consolidate the independent Authorities (Turnpike, etc.) into the relevant state agencies so that they become answerable to the people,
6) Bring greater customer service to the Registry of Motor Vehicles by delegating their responsibilities to local cities and towns. For example, your town hall would process your plates while local police would administer driving tests.
He laid out the case for what he wants to do. But with a State House dominated by Democrats, who regularly thwart the initiatives of their own Governor, let alone the voters, how is he going to turn his ideas into law? Here is his starting point:
Senate: GOP = 5 Dem = 35
House: GOP = 16 Dem = 143
Total: GOP = 21 Dem = 188
Here is his 2010 goal:
Senate GOP Adds in 2010 = +10
House GOP Adds in 2010 = +20
Total After 2010 GOP = 51 Dem = 158
To help make this happen, he will personally donate $500 to any GOP candidate for statewide office to help jumpstart fundraising. Further, he asserted that he will swear off taking any campaign funds raised by the state party so that all the money is completely available for other candidates.
Mr. Mihos presented himself well, made his case and converted some skeptics. That's a change you can believe in.
Submitted by, Bob Hiss.
