Boardman Wants to Roll Back Taxes

MN Staff
September 2002 Print Edition

"I am a strong proponent of the tax rollback initiative," says Mark Boardman (R-Orleans) who is running for the State Senate from the Cape and Islands. He believes his district has been poorly served in the Legislature and would like to replace first-term Senator Robert O'Leary (D-Barnstable). He states, "In the Cape and Islands district, voters voted by 2 to 1 to have their income taxes reduced."

He vows he will resist attempts to raise tax rates and "will fight for the people of the Cape and Islands, who pay more in taxes to the state and receive fewer services than other regions."

His passion, however, is not reserved simply for the taxation issue. Regarding the whole budget situation, he says, "The budget for fiscal year 2001 was delivered five months late, with legislators given less than 24 hours to read the entire document. This is not the transparent form of government that I envision for the people of Massachusetts. I believe that money is saved when budgets are prepared, voted on and enacted on time. It allows people to plan appropriately and it ensures that the programs that are meant to help people are implemented on time." He promises, "As a senator for the Cape and Islands, I will never vote for a bill or budget that I have not completely reviewed or studied. I will be a vocal advocate against the backroom deals that are the hallmark of the present system. And I will never support a bill that negatively impacts the Cape and Islands."

Agreeing with most legislators and candidates, Boardman believes education to be one of the key issues for the Commonwealth. He says, "Education provides its recipients with a tremendous return on investment. Education is a priority. I believe in the power of the MCAS test and the accountability that it demands. The results of the MCAS test are back and they are encouraging. As senator, I will back the formation of more charter schools and respect people's demand for choice."

Boardman describes himself as "a believer in the Second Amendment." He told MassNews that, "People have the right, by means of that amendment, to carry arms, as long as they are registered and trained." Training, he believes is the important element in gun ownership.

Describing himself as "pro-choice," Boardman explains that his viewpoint comes from his background in the medical field. He explained to MassNews that he believes it's "the physician's and the woman's choice. I don't believe it's the government's place to interfere with that." On the other hand, Boardman believes that abortion is usually an inappropriate choice and "would like to work toward the goal of zero abortions in this country." This can only be accomplished, he explained, through a comprehensive system of education.

He was "disappointed," Boardman says, with the legislative tactic of recessing the Constitutional Convention prior to any discussion on the Protection of Marriage Amendment. He said the issue should have been "allowed to go to, at least, a floor debate." He referred to the manner in which the matter was procedurally dismissed as "legislative maneuvering to squash any debate on the floor. And that's undemocratic."

Boardman also thinks the voters' will has been denied in the matter of Clean Elections. He said, "In 1998, the voters of Massachusetts passed by a 2 to 1 margin a referendum that would make available funds for candidates to run their campaigns. I believe the people of Massachusetts have stated their desire for Clean Elections and it is time to implement their desire. Presently, Clean Elections has not been funded. Legislators lack the courage and the will to pass or repeal this bill. Instead they are allowing it to sit and fester in the minds of the electorate. As the Legislature has not acted on the people's mandate, I will not be able to run as a Clean Elections candidate. When I am elected, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Clean Election mandate is funded in the spirit of the initiative or repealed."

A local problem that needs fixing, according to Boardman, is housing on the Cape. He says, "The need for affordable housing is an acute and chronic problem. It is vital to the entire economy of the Cape and Islands that we ensure that those who do the work here are able to live here." He vows to support the development of programs that allow communities to work together in providing affordable housing. He explains, "I will work to develop public-private initiatives that provide affordable housing. I will work to ensure that 40b initiatives are not used as threats by developers, but as the mechanism that it was designed to be: one which balances between property rights with the long-term health of the community."

Asked why he's running for the Senate at this time, Boardman replied, "I believe in the system of democracy that our Commonwealth was established under. I don't believe in the system that is in place now. A system that is controlled by a few and routinely disavows and ignores the wishes and votes of the many.

I have always been a believer in hearty debates and the useful ideas that they create. I am not a believer in negative, scare tactics that make people feel that there is no hope. I believe in working hard and finding solutions for the challenges that face us. I believe that the people of Massachusetts are ready for a change. When I am elected Senator, I will work to the best of my ability to ensure the people of the Cape and Islands are fairly represented in the legislature. I will ensure that we are as concerned with our future as we are with our present. And I will be there in the district to hear the concerns of the people."

A veteran of the Air Force, Boardman earned a degree in physics at Northeastern University. He also earned his Master's degree in business administration from Northeastern University's High Technology program. He has worked for several medical technology companies, eventually founding his own business.