Publications: Transportation

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In a recent news release, the Foundation called on the Legislature to enact a major overhaul of the state's transportation agencies.

In this major report, MTF calls on the Governor and the Legislature to reform the state's transportation agencies to produce more comprehensive and integrated priority setting, to enhance the state's capacity to finance transportation investments, and to strengthen the Commonwealth's ability to operate and maintain its transportation assets.