From the Boston “We Know Whats Best For You” Globe comes this gem about the Mass Turnpike. Where do I start with this?
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials acknowledged yesterday that they are reviewing whether toll increases scheduled for January will be adequate to cover expenses at the financially strapped agency, under pressure from two board members who are warning that a steeper increase is inevitable.
Ok, its “financially strapped” why do I not believe this? The excuses go on:
Connaughton pointed to the popular Fast Lane discount program as another example of the Turnpike’s spiraling financial troubles. The discounts, which began in 2002, had been funded with proceeds from the sale of a parcel of Turnpike land in Allston, but that money will run out next year, she said. The authority is also facing $244 million in unfunded healthcare costs for its retired workers, she said.
Good Lord, is the $244 million due this year? I didn’t think so. Will the retirees be kicking in more for the state coverage? I doubt it. Since when is the Fastlane a discount? The transmitter was certainly not a bargain when The NY State Thruway gives them away.
“They absolutely need more money,” said Stephen J. Silveira, a lawyer and member of the Transportation Finance Commission.
No Stephen, they need to go away like a rabid animal goes away. In other words take it out back, and give it the Ole Yeller treatment and leave it on the compost heap.
Alan G. MacDonald, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and a member of the Transportation Finance Commission, agreed that the authority may have to consider higher tolls.
“They do have to find a way to handle operations and maintenance without one-time monies,” MacDonald said
Hmm. Consider higher tolls? They have been considering that since day one. That is my “No Sh*t Sherlock” award of the day. Handling operations and maintenance without one-time monies? I know that in the Peoples Democratic Union of Socialist Fraternity of Massachusetts this is heresy, but I may have an idea! Kill the agency! We have a highway department for 95, 495, 91 etc. I think they may be up to managing a straight line from NY to Boston. When you pay toll collectors $50,000 a year plus the full benefits boat, one might think that the Turnpike authority is up to some shenanigans. Howie Carr has the full Turnpike Payroll at howiecarr.com, once there click on the x-files and scroll down to the Mass. Turnpike Payroll. All told the Pike has a payroll of $77 Million a year! Here is a better idea, lease the damn thing. Thats right, lease it to a private outfit who will maintain it and pay the state a portion of the tolls. Think of that! No more hacks hiding in plain sight, and no more hold ups by another odious “public – private” State Agency. Or, have the additional costs to maintain it rolled into an adjusted gas tax. As much as I despise taxes, I despise patronage even more. I just want the damn booths down.
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