>> BRAUDE: TONIGHT, ANOTHER SPECIAL "GREATER BOSTON," THE SECOND IN OUR SERIES OF THE ONLY TELEVISED PRIMARY DEBATES IN MASSACHUSETTS.

WHILE THERE'S ONLY ONE DEMOCRAT STILL CAMPAIGNING FOR GOVERNOR, AHEAD OF THE SEPTEMBER 6 PRIMARY-- THAT WOULD BE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY-- THERE'S PLENTY OF COMPETITION IN THE RACE FOR THE NUMBER-TWO SPOT.

AND IN THIS STATE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS HAVE ONLY TWO CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL, WHICH VOTES ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS, PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS; AND OF COURSE, TO STEP IN IF AND WHEN THE GOVERNOR IS UNABLE TO SERVE.

I'M JOINED BY THE THREE DEMOCRATS VYING FOR THE JOB THIS TIME AROUND: KIM DRISCOLL IS THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED MAYOR OF SALEM, WHO'S RUN THE CITY SINCE 2006; ERIC LESSER WAS ELECTED TO THE STATE SENATE IN 2014, REPRESENTING A LARGE SWATH OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDING AMHERST AND NORTHAMPTON.

HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS AND SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO OBAMA SENIOR ADVISER DAVID AXELROD; AND TAMI GOUVEIA WAS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR 25 YEARS BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 2018, REPRESENTING ACTON, CHELMSFORD, CONCORD AND CARLISLE.

AS ALWAYS, THE RULES?

THERE ARE NONE.

BUT TIME IS SHORT, SO BREVITY IS APPRECIATED-- ACTUALLY, REQUIRED.

FEEL FREE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER, JUST NOT OVER EACH OTHER.

WE'VE GOT A LOT TO COVER, SO LET'S GET TO IT.

WELCOME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THREE OF YOU BEING HERE.

LET'S START WITH QUHIE YOU WANT A JOB WITH NO SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OTHER THAN CHAIRING THE OBSCURE BODY.

THAT'S THE THE MAYOR'S FUNCTION.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE IN THE STATEHOUSE.

I THINK THE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT YOU RELY ON MOST, EDUCATING YOUR KIDS, KEEPING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, INVESTING IN THE PLACES YOU MAKE MEMORIES, I KNOW THE WORK THAT I DO ON THE GROUND AND SO MANY OTHER LOCAL LEADERS DEPENDS ON HAVING A STROKE CONNECTION TO THE STATE, BOTH RESOURCES, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, KNOW HOW, I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE WORKING AND THRIVING.

I THINK I HAVE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE TO BRING TO BEAR IN CHELSEA AND SALEM AND WANTED TO PUT IT TO GOOD USE.

>> Braude: THE GOVERNOR DECIDES IF YOU HAVE THAT FUNCTION.

THAT FUNCTION IS NOT LAID OUT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> THE LAST TWO ADMINISTRATIONS YOU'VE SEEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PLAY A MAJOR ROLE.

THIS IS A MICROCOSM OF CHALLENGES WE FACE AT THE STATE LEVEL DEALING WITH CITIES AND I THINK THAT EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

>> Braude: SENATOR, WHAT ABOUT YOU.

>> I REPRESENT SPRINGFIELD AND -- A NEIGHBOR OF MINE REPRESENTS AMHERST.

WE'RE A BIG FAMILY.

>> Braude: THANKS.

THE QUESTION VOTERS WILL BE ASKING IS WHO IS THE RIGHT LIEUTENANT FOR MAURA HEALEY.

WHO IS GOING TO BE THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR MAURA HEALEY, WHO WILL BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO IMPLEMENT HER AGENDA?

YOU'RE RIGHT, IT WILL BE MAURA AS GOVERNOR TO SET THE AGENDA.

>> Braude: I THINK SHE WOULD BE GOVERNOR.

>> WE WANT HER TO BE GOVERNOR.

>> Braude: OKAY.

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE I BRING WILL HELP IMPLEMENT HER AGENDA THE BEST, THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE FROM MASSACHUSETTS, SOMEONE WITH HIGH LEVEL EXPERIENCE, HIGH LEVEL FEDERAL EXPERIENCE, IS GOING TO MAKE HER AGENDA IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND REPRESENT ALL REGIONS OF THE STATE.

>> Braude: SENATOR, HE SHE HASN'T DECLARED HER CANDIDACY SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU WOULD BE SERVING WITH.

>> WE KNOW GOVERNOR HEALEY IS RUNNING UNOPPOSED.

I WORKED WITH HER ON A PROPOSAL FOR NARCAN AND A STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS WE DID TOGETHER THAT'S HELPING 8,000 STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS AS WE SPEAK.

>> Braude: REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT'S THE ATTRACTION TO THE JOB.

>> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

>> Braude: I GOT YOUR DISTRICT WRONG, TOO?

>> NO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR THE FIRST OFFICIAL DEBATE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

I GOT INTO THIS RACE OVER A YEAR AGO.

THE REASON I JUMPED INTO THE RACE IS I BELIEVE THAT OUR STATE AS GREAT AS WE ARE AND AS WELL RESOURCED AS WE ARE, WE ARE STILL LEAVING FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE BEHIND.

SO I SEE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S POSITION, BASED ON MY SKILL SET AS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR 25 YEARS, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND A DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, TO GET IN FROM DAY ONE TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND START TO ADDRESS THE BIG COMPLEX ISSUES WE'RE FACING AND I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT AS ACRISS-CROSSED THE STATE FOR 13 MONTHS.

>> Braude: QUICKLY, YOU MENTIONED MAURA HEALEY, SENATOR.

LET'S ASSUME THERE'S A MAJOR DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN YEAH AND THE PERSON YOU REPORT TO.

YOU'RE ALL FOR A SINGLE PAYER, AM I RIGHT?

MAURA HEALEY IS NOT AT THE TOP OF HER LIST ON HOW TO MAKE HEALTHCARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

SHE SAYS GO OUT AND SELL X, A DIFFERENT PLAN ON HEALTHCARE.

AND YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD PLAN.

WHAT DO YOU DO.

>> YOUR JOB IS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR, YOU'RE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

UNLESS IT'S AN ISSUE OF HIGH MORAL CONSEQUENCE.

I THINK ALL OF US SHARE IS IT GOAL OF IMPROVING AND EXPENDING HEALTHCARE ACCESS, THE QUESTION IS HOW YOU GET THERE, SO MY JOB IS TO IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNOR.

I'VE DONE THAT, WORKING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA, YOU WORK AROUND AN EXECUTIVE TEAM AND HELP IMPLEMENT THE VISION SET BY THE TOP EXECUTIVE.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM WHATEVER THE GOVERNOR SAYS TO DO -- >> I'LL PICK UP ON THE THREAD OF TEAMMATES.

WHAT I THINK IS CRITICAL ON TEAMS IS EMBRACING THE NOTION OF CONFLICT AND DISAGREEMENT.

THAT IS HOW YOU GET TO THE BEST POLICY SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT'S DRIVING THE BIG ISSUES.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE SADDLED WITH HEALTHCARE RELATED DEBTS, STILL CLAIMING BANKRUPTCY, REALLY CHALLENGED, PICKING UP ON THE ISSUE AROUND SINGLE PAYER.

WE'RE ALL RUNNING AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDATES.

WE'LL HAVE A MANDATE FROM THE FOLKS WHO ARE FOR US -- >> Braude: BUT THE MANDATE IS WITH YOUR BOSS.

>> WE'LL HAVE THE EAR OF THE FOV TO ADVOCATE FOR SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT ALSO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT FOR THE LAST 13 MONTHS.

>> Braude: MAYOR, ANY PROBLEM DOING SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR TELLS YOU TO DO EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT CRAZY ABOUT IT.

>> MY TAKE IS WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WANTS FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE PUSH AND PULL.

YOU WORK AS A TEAM.

I'M A MAYOR, I HAVE A SENIOR STAFF I WORK WITH EVERY DAY.

WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.

WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS AND MAKE THE BEST INTEREST FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU RESPECT OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Braude: ONE OF THE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS I MENTION IS THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL, IT'S A BODY VIRTUALLY NOBODY IN MASSACHUSETTS KNOWS EXISTS, MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA WHO'S ON THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL.

ARE YOU CONCERNED IT HAS THE POWER IT HAS TO CONFIRM JUDGES, MAKE DECISIONS ON PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS?

DOES THAT BOTHER YOU?

>> I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE POWER.

I THINKETH US AND PART OF THE ROLE I WANT TO PLAY AS CHAIR OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL IS TO MAKE SURE THERE'S TRANSPARENCY, THAT WE CONTINUE TO AIR THE HEARINGS ON YouTube, AND MAKE SURE THE FOLKS THAT ARE APPOINTED TO THE PAROLE BOARD REFLECT THE DIVERSITY IN THE STATE REGIONALLY AND EXPERTISE AND MAKING SURE THE LIFETIME EMPLOYMENTS, THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, SYSTEMIC RACISM AND INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY, WITH FOLKS GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT REFLECTS THE VALUES OF VOTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

>> Braude: DON'T YOU THINK IT'S A PROBLEM MAYOR THAT THE BODY WHO CONFIRMS JUDGES IN THE STATE, AND I WOULD SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF VIEWERS AND VOTERS DON'T KNOW EXIST MUCH LESS REPRESENTS THEM.

>> WE REFER TO IT AS THE MOST IMPORTANT GROUP YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF AND I HOPE NOT THE ONLY TO CHAIR BUT TO BRING OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY.

I CAME OUT OF CHAIRING A SALEM SCHOOL COMMITTEE DURING A PANDEMIC.

HOW DO WE HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE, MAKE SURE IT'S OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND BRING TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THAT PARTICULAR ORGANIZATION, IN MY ESTIMATION, GIVEN TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE SUPREME COURT, VITALLY IMPORTANT TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITIES.

I KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF WORKING IN THE BODY WHERE YOU DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WAS YOU NEED CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE, WHY AREN'T THEY ON ZOOM AND -- >> Braude: I GOT.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBSERVE SECURE AT THIS ISSUE.

>> IT PLAYS A ROLE IN THE LIVES FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FOLLOWING ALONG WHO MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR, THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL CONFIRMS ALL JUDGES NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNOR AND ALL PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS.

THEY SHAPE HOW PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND LAWS WORK IN THE STATE.

I'M SUITED.

I'M AN ATTORNEY, CHAIRMAN OF THE VIET JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE, WORKED FOR TWO SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS FOR ELLEN AKAGAN AND SOTOMAYOR.

WE NEED TO RECRUIT A GOOD CANDIDATE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE GAUNTLESS OF THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL BECAUSE IT IS A GAUNT GAUNTLET.

>> Braude: COULD YOU NAME ALL EIGHT MEMBERS?

>> I COULD.

>> Braude: COULD YOU.

PROBABLY NOT.

>> Braude: COULD YOU.

MOST BUT PROBABLY NOT.

>> Braude: DID YOU EVER GO TO A GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL MEETING.

>> I WATCHED THEM ON ZOOM.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU DECLARED.

DID YOU EVER GO TO ONE.

>> NO.

>> Braude: YOU.

YEAH.

>> Braude: YOU.

I WAS THERE TO SUPPORT A CANDIDATE.

>> Braude: IS THAT NOT A PROBLEM?

YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THERE AND YOU ONLY ONCE?

>> HERE'S THE IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE, I, TOO, AM A LAWYER AND KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS PODDY IS AND TO CELEBRATE IT.

WE STAND OUT.

I CAME BACK FROM GEORGIA WHERE THEY ELECT JUDGES.

WE HAVE A JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE, HAVE A BACKSTOP WITH GOVERNOR'S COUNCILS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RECRUITING PEOPLE AND HAVE GROUND RULES.

>> Braude: WHAT'S THE MAJOR THING THAT SETS YOU APART FROM THE OTHER TWO, WHY YOU, WHY NOT THEM?

>> FIRST, WE HAVE GREAT CANDIDATES.

WE'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER WELL IN THE COURSE OF A CAMPAIGN.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON FROM OUTSIDE 495.

I COME FROM A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE AREA IN GREATER SPRINGED IFFIELD.

I THINK WHETHER THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN KAREN POLITO, CHARLIE BAKER OR TIM MURRAY AND DEVAL PATRICK, IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TEAM TO REFLECT AND SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE STATE.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE WITH FEDERAL EXPERIENCE AT A TIME WE KNOW WHEN INTERPLAY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS KEY.

I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS THERE IN HIGH STAKES NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

I'VE DONE THREE DEVELOPMENT BILLS TO HELP FUND BROADBAND, JOB AND VOC ED PROGRAMS.

>> Braude: ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES?

>> I'M FOCUSED ON MY POSITIVE VISION.

>> Braude: HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT SETS YOU APART.

THE FACT I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, I HAVE A DOCTORATE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, REALLY BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE BIG ISSUES THAT IMPACT OUR HEALTH, WELL BEING AND DIGNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I'VE ALSO LIVED A LOT OF THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLES THAT SO MANY FAMILIES ARE FACING NOW, THAT FAR TOO MANY OF FAMILIES OF COLOR HAVE BEEN FACING FOR YEARS AND YEARS, BRINGING THAT VOICE, BRINGING THAT PERSPECTIVE, BRINGING COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN THE EXECUTIVE FOUNDER OF SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, GETTING AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF MAJOR, MAJOR ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING INCLUDING AROUND OPIOIDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES.

>> Braude: ANY PROBLEM WITH THOSE TWO?

>> YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I'M ALSO HERE JUST TO FOCUS ON WHO I AM.

>> Braude: THAT'S FINE.

GIVEN THE RELATIVE OBSERVE SECURITY EVEN OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S RACE AND WHAT IT DOES, IT'S REALLY BEEN IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT.

>> Braude: MAYOR?

I THINK THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR ME IN TERMS OF WORK THAT I HAVE DONE.

THIS IS AN EXECUTIVE ROLE.

YOU WILL BE PARTNERING WITH THE GOVERNOR TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS.

I HAVE BEEN MAYOR THE LAST 16 YEARS, WORKED IN CHELSEA AS THEY CAME OUT OF RECEIVERSHIP.

I'VE HAD TO DO THE WORK ON THE GROUND.

IT'S ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT POLICY LEADERS AND RAIL AGAINST WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN AND BE ACTUALLY ON THE GROUND.

I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GET THINGS DONE.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT FROM AN EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE AND SOMEONE WHO CAN LEAD ON A POLICY FRONT.

YOU HAVE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS EVERY DAY FOR PEOPLE WHEN YOU'RE A MAYER, A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NO SLIGHT, IMPORTANT ROLE, BUT VERY DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO NOT JUST TALK ABOUT THINGS.

>> I WOULD CHALLENGE THAT PREMISE BECAUSE WE'VE DONE QUITE A LOT THAT HAS HAD REAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS ON A MASSIVE SCALE, NOT ISOLATED TO ONE COMMUNITY OR PLACE.

MAURA HEALEY AND I WORKED TOGETHER TO TAKE ON BETSY DEVOS AND WRITE A NEW STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS, A NEW CHAPTER THAT GOT IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR.

800,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BENEFITING FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE FROM THAT LAW.

PEOPLE WRITE TO ME ROUTINELY THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED, WHO HAVE HAD THEIR COSTS GO DOWN ON THEIR ANNUAL BILLS BECAUSE OF THAT LOSS.

>> Braude: REPRESENTATIVE -- YOU MAKE A BIG IMPACT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL.

>> Braude: DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

>> YES.

I THINK GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES FROM HOUSING AND CLIMATE CHANGE TO MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILDCARE, STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF COVID, WE NEED SOMEONE IN THAT CORNER OFFICE PARTNERING WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY WHEN SHE IS THE NEXT GOVERNOR TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUES, TO HAVE AN EXPANDED VIEW OF WHAT EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING THE PERSON AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM TORE THE ULTIMATE DECISION-MAKER, IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE WORK I'VE LED ON AND GOTTEN DONE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS TOLD THERE'S NO WAY WE'LL ADDRESS BUILDINGS AS A SOURCE OF GREENHOUSE A GAS EMISSIONS.

BY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS THE STATE WE GOT THAT LEGISLATION PASSED.

THAT WILL HAVE A PIEWJ HUGE IMPACT.

>> Braude: YOU, REPRESENTATIVE, YOU TALKED ABOUT CHILDCARE, THERE'S A MEASURE IN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL THAT NEVER GOT RESOLVED THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED TAX RELIEF TO PARENTS, NOT TO MENTION OTHERS, AND YOU MENTIONED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT BILL OF FOUR DOLLARS BILLION, SUPPOSED TO HAVE REBATES FOR MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE SAYING THEY NEEDED IT.

NONE OF THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE YOUR LEADERSHIP DECIDED YOU SHOULD GO HOME ON A FIVE-MONTH VACATION.

ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT.

I'M NOT.

>> Braude: DID YOU SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT?

>> I DID AND I THINK WE SHOULD GET BACK INTO A SPECIAL SESSION SO WE CAN GET THE TAX RELIEF OUT TO FOLKS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, ADDRESSING ISSUES FOR RENTERS, ALALLEVIATING THE PRESSURES, GIVEN THE HIGH RISE IN RENTAL COSTS, ALLEVIATING THE PRESSURE ON SENIORS, AND PEOPLE WITH DEPENDENTS.

SO WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO THE TABLE, BACK INTO SESSION AT SOME POINT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS TO GET THAT DONE -- >> Braude: SENATOR, ARE YOU TROUBLED YOU'RE ON A FIVE-MONTH VIOLATION.

>> I'M CERTAINLY NOT ON A FIVE-MONTH VEGAS.

LET ME ADDRESS THE QUESTION ABOUT CHILDCARE AND I WILL ADDRESS THE QUESTION ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I'M A PARENT OF THREE YOUNG KIDS.

MY WIFE AND I BOTH WORK LONG HOURS.

I'VE GOT A 9-YEAR-OLD, AN ALMOST 6-YEAR-OLD AND A 16-MONTH-OLD AND OUR CHILDCARE BILL IS MORE THAN OUR MORTGAGE AND THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL IN OUR STATE.

WE ARE IN A CRISIS AROUND CHILDCARE.

AS FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL, IT WAS FRANKLY A BAD THING THAT IT DID NOT PASS BUT IT'S GOING TO GET RESOLVED.

I CALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR US TO FIGURE IT OUT TO COME BACK TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

I SAID THAT AT THE STATE HOUSE WHEN ASKED.

BUT LET'S ALSO FOCUS ON WHAT DID GET ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS AT THE STATE HOUSE, A LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL BILL TO RESHAPE THE ECONOMY IN OUR STATE AND LEAD TO NET ZERO.

A LANDMARK PATCH OF THE BRUIN DECISION FOR GUNS WHICH WE ALSO GOT DONE.

WE LAST WEEK DID A SHIELD LAW FOR ABORTION PROVIDERS IN THE WAKE OF THE DOBBS DECISION.

SO A LOT GOT DONE.

THERE WAS A CURVE BALL GIVEN AND THE LAST -- IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WHERE WE LEARNED NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE THREE DOLLARS BILLION -- >> Braude: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CURVE BALL BUT LET'S LEAVE IT THERE FOR A SECOND.

ARE YOU TROUBLED ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE BEING OUT OF SESSION FOR FIVE MONTHS?

YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM IF YOU'RE A GOVERNOR.

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND THIS GOES BACK TO YOUR QUESTION WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, AS MAYOR ON THE GROUND, WE EXPANDED PRE-K, WE HAD TO WORK TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, I ADOPTED BUDGETS FOR COVLD RESPONSE AND RECOVERING, MANAGER REVIEW SESSIONS.

I REPRESENT NOT ONLY MY CONSTITUENTS, I I WAS A MOM OF THREE UNDER AGE FIVE.

CHILDCARE WAS EXPENSIVE.

THAT'S WHY WE EXPANDED IT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU HAVE NEED A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

BUT LET'S BE CLEAR, PEOPLE ARE HURTING, EVERYTHING IS SO HIGH.

EVERYTHING I BUY AT MARKET BASKET IS GOING UP EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

WE NEED ACTION.

I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE IS COMING BACK INTO SESSION.

LET'S MAKE SURE THE BILLS SO IMPORTANT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THERE WAS HOUSING DOLLARS IN THERE, SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES.

>> Braude: 270 MILLION IN HOUSING DOLLARS.

CAN YOU HOLD IT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CURVE BALL THE SENATOR MENTIONED, THIS TAX GOT PASSED IN 1996.

THREE DOLLARS BILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO RETURN TO THE TAXPAYERS.

NOT ONLY WERE THE 750 MILLION IN TAX CUTS NOT DONE, NOR THE $350 MILLION REBATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SAYS MAYBE WE'LL REPEAL THE THING.

IF THERE WAS A VOTE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO REPEAL SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THREE DOLLARS BILLION WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TAXPAYERS, HOW WOULD YOU VOTE.

>> WE WOULD NEED TO RETURN IT.

>> Braude: YOU WOULDN'T VOTE TO REPEAL IT.

>> I WOULDN'T BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD A BILL OR DISCUSSION ON IT IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY.

>> Braude: WELL, IT'S A LAW.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AS WE'RE RETURNING FUNDS BACK THROUGH OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THERE'S OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATION WE CAN PASS SUCH AS WAGE THEFT.

IF WE PASSED THE WAGE THEFT BILL, THAT WOULD PUT A BILLION DOLLARS BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD WORKING PEOPLE IN OUR STATE WHO HAD THEIR WAGES STOLEN FROM THEM.

A BILLION DOLLARS IS LOST EVERY SINGLE YEAR IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IMPACTING OUR TAX BASE AND OUR G.D.P.

SO THERE ARE OTHERS WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITHOUT BLUNT FORCE OF REPEALING A LAW.

>> Braude: WOULD YOU VOTE TO REPEAL A TAX CUT.

>> TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR, JIM, IT'S THE LAW.

>> Braude: YOU CAN REPEAL IT.

UT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS HAVE A PROCESS, IF WE WANT TO REEXAMINE THE LAW FOR THE FUTURE, THAT'S A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

>> Braude: YOU WOULDN'T STAND IN THE WAY OF 3 BILLION BEING RETURNED.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

YOU NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR IT AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THERE'S BEEN A DELAY.

THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

THERE'S THREE DOLLARS BILLION UNACCOUNTED FOR THAT NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR WITH I IS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO TAKE A STEP BACK, SEE HOW IT FITS IN WITH THE OVERALL STATE'S PICTURE AND FASHION A RESPONSE, BUT YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE FACT THERE'S A LAW ON THE BOOKS -- >> Braude: PASSED BY THE VOTERS.

DO YOU WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO REPEAL THE THREE DOLLARS BILLION AND SPEND IT ON SOMETHING ELSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF LAWS, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THEM.

>> Braude: THE GOVERNOR WAS ON THE RADIO SHOW THE DAY THE WOMAN HAD TO JUMP INTO THE MYSTIC BECAUSE THE TRAIN WAS ON FAIR.

I CHARACTERIZED THE T AS A TOTAL MESS.

HE REJECTED THAT.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE T AND WHAT'S THE FIT, SPECIFICS NOT- RHETORIC.

>> A TOTAL MESS IS HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT.

WE HAVE PUBLIC TRANSIT NEEDS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

SALEM HAS THE BIGGSIEST COMMUTER RAIL STOP IN THE M.B.A. SYSTEM.

IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND TRANSIT.

WE KNOW WE HAVE EAST-WEST RAIL, AS A PRIORITY.

BUT I ALSO WORKED TO PUT ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN MY COMMUNED.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC RIDE SHARE, ON DEMAND SHUTTLE, FERRY, RIDE SHARE WITH VEHICLES POSITIONED AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO SOLVE TRANSPORTATION WOES, ELECTRIFY LINES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR COMMUNITY AND BETTER FOR THE CLIMATE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OWN CASE.

WE HAVE AN INFORMATION GAP IN TRANSPORTATION.

WE CAN BE BETTER THAN THAT THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS.

>> Braude: LET'S DESCRIBE THE STATE OF THE T, SENATOR, AND WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO FIX IT.

>> JIM, THAT ANSWER DIDN'T REALLY GET INTO SPECIFICS OF THE M.B.T.A.

SYSTEM, SO LET ME GIVE YOU SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.

FIRST, I'M ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

WE HAD AN OVERSIGHT HEARING WHERE THE HEAD OF THE M.B.T.A.

AND THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WERE IN FRONT OF US OVER THE DERAILMENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ACROSS THE SYSTEM.

WE ASKED THEM POINT-BLANK, IS THE SYSTEM SAFE, CAN RIDERS RELY ON THE SAFETY OF THE T?

THEY LOOKED US IN THE EYE AND SAID YES.

TWO DAYS LATER A WOMAN JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE INTO THE MYSTIC RIVER BECAUSE THE ORANGE LINE WASSEN ON FIRE.

HERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS WE NEED TO DO -- WE NEED TO STREAMLINE THE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, REQUIRE TRANCE IMRARNS.

WE INCLUDED RELATION IN A TRANSPORTATION BILL ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK TO REQUIRE AWTSDS AND REPORTING TO TIN INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A CULTURE OF SAFETY AT THE T. THIS ISN'T A MONEY ISSUE.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS WRITTEN A EVERY CHECK TO IMPROVE BAKER HE'S ASKED FOR.

WE NEED TO STREAMLINE AND HAVE CONSEQUENCES WHEN THERE ISN'T -- >> Braude: DO YOU AGREE IT'S NOT A MONEYSH SHOE.

>> I THINK IT IS A MONEY ISSUE.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN MISMANAGEMENT.

I THINK WE HAVEN'T MADE THE MAJOR INVESTMENTS WE NEEDED TO.

MY CHARACTERIZATION OF THE T IS IT IS LITERALLY CRASHING AND BURNING ALMOST EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS SAFE OR RELIABLE FOR SURE.

IF WE MAKE THE INVESTMENTS REQUIRED TO MAKE IT RELIABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERY PERSON IN OUR STATE, NOT JUST THE T BUT TRANSPORTATION AT LARGE, THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THE FAIR SHARE AMENDMENT MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE DOLLARS COME IN.

>> Braude: IT'S A MILLIONAIRES TAX.

>> MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN INVESTMENT DOLLARS, REVENUE DOLLARS AND SUPPORTING NOT ONLY TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE A STRONG ECONOMY, BUT ALSO INVESTING IN EDUCATION WITH THAT MILLIONAIRES TAX.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE THE INDORMANT OF THE MASS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN FEDERATION AS WELL.

>> Braude: DO YOU AGREE WITH THE MAYOR IT'S NOT A MONEY SITUATION IN THE T. >> I THINK WE NEED INVESTMENT IN THE T. THERE'S SUSTAINABLE REVENUE, OPERATING COSTS, CAPITAL COSTS.

WE WANT TO INVEST IN PEOPLE.

WE'VE HAD HEARINGS AND COMMISSIONS, NONE OF IT CHANGED THE FACT THAT SOMEONE GETS ON A TRAIN AND IT CATCHES ON FIRE OR THEY'RE JUMPING OUT OF A WINDOW ON THE COMPUTER RAIL, THAT TAKES MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP THAT'S SUSTAINABLE, COUPLED WITH INVESTMENT.

IT'S NOT JUST MONEY, BUT THE RIGHT PEOPLE LEADING THE ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Braude: TEN SECONDS.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY IT'S A MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL ISSUES.

RAY LAHOOD WAS COMMISSIONED TO DO IT THREE YEARS AGO.

THEY GAVE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.

ALMOST NONNISMMENTED.

THAT'S A MANAGEMENT ISSUE.

>> Braude: GBH HAS DONE A LOT OF REPORTING ON THE PATHETIC STATE OF MINORITY CONTRACTING HERE.

THE MOST RECENT REPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES AT GBH SAID ABOUT STATE CONTRACTS THERE'S BEEN A HUGE JUMP FROM A PITFALL 2% TO 3% SHARE GOING TO COMPANIES OWNED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WHAT WOULD YOU COABOUT THAT IF ANYTHING.

>> WELL, WE NEED TO GET WITH THE BUSINESS OWNERS OF COLOR IN OUR STATE, HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THAT THAT ARE ARE EXPERIENCING EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THESE CONTRACTS ARE EVEN AVAILABLE.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S ABOUT A COMMUNICATION ISSUE, WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH IN STATE GOVERNMENT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, AND MAKING SURE WE'RE ALSO INVESTING IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT ON THE GROUND EVERY SINGLE DAY SO THAT WE CAN GET MORE OF THE CONTRACTS GOING OUT TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> Braude: SENATOR.

APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

ETH SOMETHING I FILED LEGISLATION ON ANDLE FOUGHT FOR IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

A COUPLE OF THINGS, WE NEED TO PUT REQUIREMENTS IN AND REAL EXPECTATIONS THAT THE PROCUREMENT IS GOING TO BE DONE IN A DIVERSE WAY, AND IT HAS TO INCLUDE THE HIGH-PAYING PROCUREMENT AS WELL, THE LAW FIRMS, THE INVESTMENT BANKS, THE INVESTMENT HOUSES THAT MANAGE PENSION ASSETS.

WE'VE GOT TO EXPECT DIVERSITY AND TRANSPARENCY AROUND WHO IS MANAGING WHAT ACROSS GOVERNMENT, AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WHICH ARE A VERY IMPORTANT WAY POLICY IS MADE INCLUDING BOARDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IN THE STATE.

>> Braude: IN ADDITION TO YOUR ANSWER, MAYER HOW HAVE YOU DONE IN TERMS OF CONTRACTING IN YOUR CITY.

>> WE'VE BEEN INTENTIONAL IN SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS.

WE'RE LEADING A COHORT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE PROCUREMENT LAWS CAN BE A BARRIER.

NOT INTENTIONAL BUT OLDER LAWS.

WE FORMED A RACE EQUITY TASK FORCE TO TRACK WHAT WE'RE DOING.

IF YOU CAN'T MEASURE IT YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE GOAL GOING FORWARD.

THERE'S A LOT TO DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO DO THE OUTREACH, THE TRAINING AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.

WE'RE A MAJOR CONTRACTOR.

CITIES, GOVERNMENT, LET'S MAKE SURE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THEBLOCK AND BROWN COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS WHEN BUYING AND PROCURING GOODS AND SERVICES.

>> Braude: LAST QUESTION ABOUT 30 SECOND.

YOU, REPRESENTATIVE, THERE HAVE BEEN 72 LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS, I'M SURE YOU CAN RECITE THEM ALL.

>> OH, YES.

(LAUGHTER) >> Braude: WHO AMONG THEM WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MODEL FOR HOW YOU SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND WHAT WAS HIS OR HER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT AFTER THE JOB.

>> EVELYN MURPHY.

I'VE HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH HER THROUGHOUT THE RACE, ADMIRED THE WORK SHE DID, AND PART OF IT WAS BRINGING FORWARD THE RACE WITH MUNICIPALITIES, BUT IN THIS RACE WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES, WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN GET TO WORKDAY ONE TO ADDRESS THE PEOPLE SO SUPPORT OUR MUNICIPAL LEADERS.

I SEE IT AS A BOTH/AND NOT EITHER/OR.

>> Braude: WHEN LIKE DO YOU MIKE DO YOU CAUCUS WENT OUT OF DOWN -- >> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.

MURPHY WAS ON MY LIST.

ANOTHER RECENT ONE, TIM MURRAY, SPECIFICALLY THE WORK HE DID TO CONNECT WORCESTER AND BOSTON BY RAIL SERVICE.

CENTRAL MASS HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED AND WE NEED TO PULL THAT WEST.

>> I ADVOCATE FOR EVELYN MURPHY AND TIM MURRAY, TIM AS A FORMER MAYOR I THINK UNDERSTOOD THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES ON THE GROUND, HAD TO DO THE BLOCKING AND TACKLING OF GOVERNMENT AND WHY IT WAS SO CRITICAL TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH THAT MAYORAL EXPERIENCE IN THAT POSITION.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.

SOMETIMES RESOURCES, SOMETIMES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE ALL THE GATEWAY CITIES WITH AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE SEE ECONOMIC EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE KENDALL AND SEAPORT DISTRICT.

I WANT TO TAKE MY EXPERIENCE AND BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL OUR HOME TOWNS.

>> Braude: TIM MURRAY LEFT EARLY AND LEFT THE STATE WITHOUT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

YOU?

>> YES.

>> Braude: I WISH YOU ALL LUCK, THANK YOU.

KIM DRISCOLL, ERIC LESSER, TAMI GOUVEIA-- THANKS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

U.S. ATTORNEY RACHAEL ROLLINS WILL JOIN ME TOMORROW AND OUR PRIMARY DEBATE SERIES WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK, WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR STATE AUDITOR ON MONDAY AND THEN THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH NEXT WEDNESDAY.

THE "BOSTON GLOBE," WCVB AND WBUR ARE ALSO HOLDING A SERIES OF PRIMARY RADIO DEBATES STARTING TOMORROW AS WELL.

WE HOPE YOU'LL LISTEN TO THEM ALL.

ONCE AGAIN, PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6.

PLEASE VOTE.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING, GOOD NIGHT.