Gubernatorial candidates spar over local aid

“This is our first real opportunity to get together, to introduce ourselves,’’ Cahill said. “First impressions are important.’’

Cahill was the leadoff speaker on what may be considered the unofficial beginning of the 2010 campaign to challenge Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat.

In their first joint appearance, Republican candidates Charles D. Baker and Christy Mihos joined Cahill, who is running as an independent.

Speaking separately for several minutes, none of the candidates mentioned Patrick by name, but they did repeatedly promise to change Beacon Hill and the way state government operates.

The meet-the-candidates forum at the DoubleTree hotel was hosted by the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce, which draws its members from five Central Massachusetts communities, including Westborough.

“All three of us . . . think what’s going on in Beacon Hill right now doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense,’’ said Baker, who left the top job at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to run. “Beacon Hill is basically broken.’’

Cahill described himself as a fiscal conservative who has saved billions in taxpayer money by keeping a close eye on the state-financed school building system.

“We cannot continue to spend money we don’t have,’’ he said.

Mihos told the audience, which included many who seemed to know him from his earlier runs for public office and as a former board member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, that he is an outsider.

“I am going to make this real easy for you,’’ Mihos said. “If you are looking for an insider, I am not your guy.’’

Baker said he wants to change the regulatory environment and restructure the way government works by using technology already used in the private sector to boost efficiency.

“I don’t think anybody disputes Massachusetts needs a turnaround,’’ Baker said.

He also faulted the Patrick administration for investing millions of dollars in Evergreen Solar, which is shifting some manufacturing jobs to China from Massachusetts. Evergreen makes solar panels.

The candidates also sparred over the fate of local aid, with Cahill saying the idea of cutting it must be part of the debate as the state searches for a solution to budget shortfalls.

“Everything has to be on the table,’’ said Cahill, who left the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent. “Any one of us, given the fiscal crisis in the billions, that says anything is off the table . . . I don’t think is actually being truthful.’’

But Baker and Mihos flatly rejected the idea.

“Never,’’ said Mihos.

“No,’’ Baker said, adding, “If you say local aid is on the table, it won’t be the last choice, because it’s an easier choice than the tough stuff of restructuring state government.’’

Baker’s pledge not to touch local aid drew applause from the audience. But it also marked a shift from comments he made over the summer in announcing his candidacy, when he told the Globe “everything should be on the table.’’

At the breakfast meeting, Cahill pointed at the audience with his right hand as he defended himself.

“It might not be the most politically popular decision to make,’’ said Cahill, who added that local government has searched for ways to adapt to current fiscal realities. “But you don’t have control over big parts of the budget. . . . Sometimes, it’s leverage to get the local governments to toe the line.’’

Mihos renewed his push to send 40 percent of all state revenue back to cities and towns. He said local aid is now at 2002-2003 levels, “which is an absolute disgrace.’’

Beacon Hill has been paying for the Big Dig, education overhaul, and other measures “on the backs of cities and towns,’’ Mihos said.

The candidates were asked how they would deal with a Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Cahill said he chose to run as an independent so he could reach out to politicians from both parties and lead them to a consensus. He also said he hopes to use those skills to build a coalition that will sustain any vetoes.

Mihos said voters should seek fiscally conservative Republicans and vote them into office.

Baker argued that any governor who gets to know the members of the Legislature on a personal basis will be able to build coalitions that will bring change to Beacon Hill.

John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com.