Our campaign of reform and modernization of the Auditor's Office is based on our belief that the Auditor can be a more effective advocate for Massachusetts taxpayers.  I envision an Auditor's Office that can achieve greater government transparency, help lower property taxes, consolidate state spending, encourage economic development, and promote job growth.

Eliminate Wasteful Spending: Right now, the Commonwealth spends approximately $108 million per year on rental space for state offices.  At the same time, we maintain a long list of unused and underutilized property within the state's Surplus Property Division.  By matching surplus property with state office needs, we can eliminate unnecessary spending totaling tens of millions of dollars.

Job Growth: Every day, Massachusetts loses jobs to out of state companies for local projects.  Recent news reports have highlighted more than $45 million in federal surplus property intended for MA citizens actually was awarded to out of state companies.  As Auditor, I will more closely examine the true cost of out of state labor and what we can do better to attract and retain good jobs in the Commonwealth.

Property Taxes: Too often, unfunded mandates cripple cash-strapped cities and towns, forcing them to boost property taxes in order to pay for these new regulations and requirements.  The Auditor's Office must play a greater role in eliminating the burden of unfunded mandates, through the Division of Local Mandates, and providing municipal officials the breathing room they need to keep residential taxes down.

Transparency: The Massachusetts Auditor's Office is one of the only in the country that doesn't post the use of federal stimulus funding online, even though the Auditor is responsible for oversight of stimulus appropriations.  I believe citizens have a right to know where their tax dollars are going, and as Auditor will make sure all stimulus funding is posted online.