Publications: Transportation

View more in Transportation [1]

April 25 2011
MBTA's Debt Trap [2]
On April 25, MTF President Michael Widmer presented the MBTA’s financial status at a meeting organized by A Better City. With a growing operating deficit, massive debt, and faltering infrastructure, the T faces major fiscal challenges in the upcoming years.
Full Publication (PDF) [3]
March 30 2009
MTF Recommendations: Saving $1 Billion in Unaffordable Health Care Costs at the MBTA [4]
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation unveiled a blueprint for the MBTA to save more than $1 billion in spending on health benefits over the next 20 years. The report, MTF Recommendations: Saving $1 Billion in Unaffordable Health Care Costs at the MBTA, makes six recommendations to bring MBTA health benefits into line with those provided state employees and which could be implemented by July 1, 2009.
Download Press Release [5]
Full Publication (PDF) [6]
March 3 2009
COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION REFORM AND FINANCE PLAN [7]
In collaboration with four other groups, the Foundation has put forward a comprehensive transportation reform and finance plan to address the long backlog of transportation investments critical to the Massachusetts economy. The plan encompasses the recommendations of the Transportation Finance Commission, on which the Foundation served, including changes to the MBTA's benefit structure that could save between $1 and $2 billion over the next 20 years. The proposed 25 cent increase in the gas tax would enable the Commonwealth to address the rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges in each section of the state, putting the regional transit authorities and the Western Turnpike, as well as the MBTA, on stronger financial footing, and provide some toll relief to those using the Metro Highway System.

Download Press Release [8]
Full Publication (PDF) [9]
September 17 2008
Draft Regulations on use of Civilian Flaggers [10]
In testimony this week MTF applauded the administration's draft regulations to use civilian flaggers at public construction sites, calling the three-tiered system a "careful balance between public safety and public expenditures" and urged that these regulations be adopted.
Full Publication (PDF) [11]
July 27 2008
The billion-dollar bailout Mass. can't afford [12]
The Legislature should take the time to get this right. The proposed bailout rewards the Turnpike's abysmal record while shifting the risks to the taxpayer. Bailing out the Turnpike with no accompanying reforms, no transparency, and no comprehensive plan to address its underlying problems will be remembered for years as the other bookend to the sorry Big Dig saga.
Full Publication (PDF) [13]
July 21 2008
MTF Warning: Rush to $2.3 Billion Turnpike Bailout Poses Large Risk to State Finances [14]
MTF Letter to State Senate

The Commonwealth is going on this debt binge at the very moment that the floor may drop out of our finances. We are not risking a credit downgrade, we are virtually inviting it.

Bailing out the Turnpike with no accompanying reforms, no transparency, and no comprehensive plan to address its underlying problems will be remembered for years as the other bookend to the Big Dig fiasco.

Full Publication (PDF) [15]
June 2008
MTF Urges Legislature to Scale Back Governor’s $3 Billion Bridge Program [16]
In testimony before the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets on June 4, MTF President Michael J. Widmer called on the Legislature to cap the Governor's bridge program at $1 billion. Mr.
Full Publication (PDF) [17]
May 2008
MTF Offers Recommendations to Curtail the Use of Police Details at Construction Sites [18]

Full Publication (PDF) [19]
October 2007
An Analysis of Property Tax Credits and Transportation Funding Under the Governor's Casino Proposal [20]
On October 25 the Foundation released a report analyzing the revenue projections included in the administration's plan to license three casinos in Massachusetts. The detailed analysis raises a variety of questions about the revenues and benefits from the three casinos, including an assessment of the impact on property taxes and transportation needs.
Full Publication (PDF) [21]
June 2004
MTF Calls on Legislature to Enact Transportation Restructuring [22]
In a recent news release, the Foundation called on the Legislature to enact a major overhaul of the state's transportation agencies.
Full Publication (PDF) [23]

Links:
[1] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/transportation
[2] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20110425/mbtas_debt_trap
[3] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/mbta_rev1.pdf
[4] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/health_care/20090330/mtf_recommendations_saving_1_billion_unaffordable_health_care_cost
[5] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MBTA with header.pdf
[6] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MBTA report - NT.pdf
[7] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/public_finance/taxes/gas_tax/20090303/comprehensive_transportation_reform_and_finance_p
[8] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/transportation group releaseII (2).pdf
[9] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/Business group transportation reform and finance plan.pdf
[10] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20080917/draft_regulations_use_civilian_flaggers
[11] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/Police details testimony 9-15-08.pdf
[12] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20080727/the_billiondollar_bailout_mass_cant_afford
[13] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/Widmer_op-ed_july_2008.pdf
[14] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/public_finance/budget/fy_2009/20080721/mtf_warning_rush_23_billion_turnpike_bailout_pos
[15] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MTF Warning on Turnpike Bailout.pdf
[16] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20080601/mtf_urges_legislature_scale_back_governor%E2%80%99s_3_billion_bridge_pr
[17] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MTFBridgetTestimony.pdf
[18] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20080501/mtf_offers_recommendations_curtail_use_police_details_construct
[19] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MTFPoliceDetailTestimony.pdf
[20] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/public_finance/taxes/20071001/an_analysis_property_tax_credits_and_transportation_fundi
[21] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MTF Casino Report.pdf
[22] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/transportation/20040601/mtf_calls_legislature_enact_transportation_restructuring
[23] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/sites/masstaxpayers.org/files/MTF Transportation Restructuring Release.pdf
[24] http://www.masstaxpayers.org/publications/13?page=1