`We probably need fresh air and a new approach'
NEWTON -- Christopher F. Gabrieli, a Democratic candidate for governor, said he would likely fire embattled Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chairman Matthew J. Amorello if his election bid succeeds.
Gabrieli, in an interview to be aired today on New England Cable News, said he would conduct a thorough review before deciding to reappoint Amorello, whose term expires next year. But based on news reports of Amorello's stewardship of the Central Artery project, Gabrieli said, ``it's probably clear there's a need for new leadership."
``Certainly alarm bills have gone off," Gabrieli said. ``We probably need fresh air and a new approach."
Amorello has been engaged in a long-running power struggle with Governor Mitt Romney, who two years ago called for his resignation following the discovery of hundreds of leaks in Big Dig tunnels. But Amorello, a former state senator, has maneuvered to keep his job. Last week, in an invective-filled meeting, he won changes in the authority's bylaws that will allow him to maintain control of the agency, just before Romney's appointees gained a majority on the board.
Calls and e-mail to the turnpike authority seeking comment from Amorello were not returned as of Friday.
Amorello's future was one of several topics Gabrieli tackled in a wide-ranging interview on business and economic issues on ``This Week in Business." NECN anchor Mike Nikitas and Paul Guzzi, president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Globe columnist Steve Bailey interviewed Gabrieli.
Gabrieli, 46, is one of three Democrats seeking the party's nomination for governor. The others , Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly, and Deval L. Patrick, an assistant attorney general in the Clinton administration, will appear on NECN in the coming weeks. The winner of the Sept. 19 primary election will face Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey , who is running unopposed in the Republican primary, and independent Christy Mihos.
Gabrieli is a wealthy venture capitalist. Taking a page from Romney, also a successful venture capitalist, Gabrieli has underscored his economic proposals by promoting his business and investment credentials. Just as Romney did in the 2002 campaign, Gabrieli has claimed to have helped create thousands of jobs through the investments of his venture capital firm.
Both Romney and Gabrieli have taken at least some credit for the more than 30,000 jobs at
Gabrieli, in the NECN interview, defended his assertion that he helped create 100,000 jobs as a venture capitalist. A recent examination of Gabrieli's record by the Globe found those claims appear exaggerated.
``You can parse the numbers anyway you want," Gabrieli said. ``My partners and I invested $1 billion in companies that have created 100,000 jobs."
To create more jobs, Gabrieli said, the state needs to shed what he called the laissez-faire policies of past Republican administrations and take a more active role in spurring economic growth. Among his key economic initiatives, for example, is a plan to borrow $1 billion to invest in life sciences research, particularly embryonic stem-cell research, which holds the promise of curing incurable diseases.
Rather than cutting costs, Gabrieli said, the state's economic policies should focus first on encouraging new technologies to create the next generation of jobs.
``We have to accept we are not going to be a low-cost state," he said. ``The question is how do we spur new innovations."
Certainly, Gabrieli added, the state has to attack high costs that may impede economic growth. For example, he said, the state needs to cut through regulations that stall construction of homes to increase supply, lower costs, and make housing more affordable.
More affordable housing would help attract and retain the young, educated workers who are leaving the state, Gabrieli said. These workers are considered critical to the state's innovation economy.
On another critical cost issue, health care, Gabrieli said he is skeptical of the state's recently enacted healthcare policies. A new law requires individuals who can afford health insurance to purchase it or face penalties such as the loss of tax credits. Those who can't afford it will get subsidized or free coverage.
The law also requires businesses that don't meet minimum standards of contributing to employees' healthcare to pay a $295 annual assessment per employee. Those funds will help pay for the low-income premium subsidies.
Gabrieli said he is unconvinced that $295, just a fraction of the cost of a health policy, is enough. Among his concerns: Some firms will opt to pay the $295 fee rather than provide health insurance.
In addition, Gabrieli said, it's not fair to assess the same fee on all businesses, regardless of their profitability.
In an interview after the taping of the program, Gabrieli emphasized that under the new law many people will have to pay insurance premiums based on their earnings. Businesses should be held to the same standard, he said.
``I want this plan to succeed," Gabrieli said during the program. ``But the devil is in the details and I'm not convinced."
Robert Gavin can be reached at rgavin@globe.com.
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