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MBTA's Debt Trap

abagley — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:53:54 -0500

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.

MTF Recommendations: Saving $1 Billion in Unaffordable Health Care Costs at the MBTA

abagley — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:54:41 -0500

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.

COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION REFORM AND FINANCE PLAN

abagley — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:37:21 -0600

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.

Draft Regulations on use of Civilian Flaggers

abagley — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:57:53 -0500

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 billion-dollar bailout Mass. can't afford

abagley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:29:55 -0500

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 Warning: Rush to $2.3 Billion Turnpike Bailout Poses Large Risk to State Finances

abagley — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:07:26 -0500

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.

MTF Urges Legislature to Scale Back Governor’s $3 Billion Bridge Program

dlind — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:14:39 -0500

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.

MTF Offers Recommendations to Curtail the Use of Police Details at Construction Sites

dlind — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:48:09 -0500

An Analysis of Property Tax Credits and Transportation Funding Under the Governor's Casino Proposal

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:42:24 -0500

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.

MTF Calls on Legislature to Enact Transportation Restructuring

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:29:13 -0500

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

The Road to Reform: Restructuring the Commonwealth’s Transportation Agencies

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:48:38 -0500

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.

MBTA: Increasing Fiscal Strains Threatening Success of Forward Funding

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:39:58 -0500

Three years after its enactment, the success of forward funding of the MBTA -- one of the most important fiscal reforms of the last decade -- is increasingly uncertain.

MBTA Capital Spending: Derailed by Expansion?

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:37:57 -0500

In a major study of the T's capital spending, the Taxpayers Foundation concludes that the multi-billion dollar cost of proposed expansion projects threatens the T's ability to achieve improved services and stronger finances, the twin goals of forward funding.

MTF Applauds Central Artery Finance Plan

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:43:31 -0500

MTF strongly endorses the Central Artery and capital finance plan released by legislative leaders today, which includes the best elements of proposals by the House, Senate and administration, and is based on the fundamental principles suggested by the Foundation.

MTF Proposes Transportation Finance Plan

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:45:56 -0500

MTF recommends that the state raise at least $2.5 billion in additional funding to support the Central Artery project's cost overruns while also ensuring a balanced statewide transportation program.

Ballot Questions: MTF Unveils Alternative Tax Cut Plan; Opposes Toll/Auto Excise Credit; Supports Charitable Deduction

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:44:46 -0500

MTF unveils a plan to cut the income tax rate to 5 percent in gradual steps tied to growth in the state's economy, an alternative to the Governor's ballot proposal to reduce the rate over three years.

The Third Rail: Financing the MBTA

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:12:08 -0500

This report was part of a broad effort by MTF that contributed to the enactment of landmark legislation in 1999 overhauling the finances of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. In the report, MTF calls for urgent legislative action on MBTA fiscal reform to limit the drain on state taxpayers, to help deal with the state's capital crisis, and to protect the Commonwealth's credit rating.