Thursday, 4:30 PM
Gubernatorial candidates square off
By Scott Helman and Matt Viser, Globe Staff
Democrat Deval L. Patrick, under attack from his rivals in the primary campaign for his resistance to lowering the state income tax rate, said Wednesday night that he might support a rollback from 5.3 to 5 percent if the Massachusetts economy strengthens.
Patrick’s openness to a lower rate down the road is a response to the criticism he’s endured on the issue from primary opponents Thomas F. Reilly and Christopher F. Gabrieli. Reilly has called for an immediate rollback, while Gabrieli has called for a phased approach.
Patrick’s remarks on taxes came as the three Democrats, Independent Christy Mihos, and Green-Rainbow Party candidate Grace Ross traded opinions on housing, immigration, and other issues important to urban neighborhoods at a Roxbury Community College forum, sponsored by the Boston Association of Black Journalists, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and other groups.
At the two-hour event, candidates sparred on a few issues, most notably the Big Dig. About 700 people crowded into the college auditorium.
The Republican candidate, Kerry Healey, declined an invitation to the forum. Healey's strategy is to wait and engage the victor in the Democrats' Sept. 19 primary.
