"Leasing Pike is debated at first public meeting; Taxpayers hear of solutions for Big Dig debt" by Noah Bierman, Globe Staff | December 4, 2008
Demonstrators rallied yesterday in East Boston to protest toll hikes. At a State House hearing, potential solutions to the turnpike's debt were discussed. ''There are no easy solutions to the problems that we face,'' said Senator Steven A. Baddour. (JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF)
What does that guy's sign say? Not one cent more?
:-)
It is hard to get dozens of people to jam into a stuffy basement in the State House to hear policy wonks discuss how "infrastructure has really become a fashionable asset class."
But the standing-room-only crowd at yesterday's Transportation Committee hearing was testament to how worried people are about the prospect of large toll increases recommended by the Turnpike Authority last month or hikes in the state gas tax proposed by House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi as an alternative....
I LUUUUVVV it when the MSM starts me off with a BIG, FAT, FUCKING LIE, don't you?
Makes you wonder how voters endorsed the income tax; of course, I told you they would be RAISING TAXES soon after, but did anyone listen? No, no one listened!
It was the first of several scheduled hearings to debate a complex web of problems caused by billions of dollars in Big Dig debt that is crippling both the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Ah, yes, the Big Pit! All so we can PAY OFF BANKS for a shitty job!!!!
Baddour said he favors examining the effects of leasing the turnpike in exchange for billions in up-front cash, the topic of yesterday's hearing.
Yeah, NOT a GOOD IDEA!!!
Future hearings will focus on other possible solutions, including a higher gas tax, as legislators gear up to debate specific proposals early next year.
You have been WARNED!
Most of the speakers were members of industry and supporters of privatization; union leaders, who had less time to speak, said they fear that tolls would rise and service would decline under private control.
Isn't that ALWAYS the WAY!? But government is working for YOU, citizen-taxpayers!
Proponents said the state could tailor any lease proposal to determine how much maintenance would be required and how high tolls could go.
Promises, promises!
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Private operators said that in addition to the income from tolls, they would save additional funds through efficiencies and by investing on upfront maintenance. Jose Lopez, the US president for Cintra, said his company has spent money to upgrade electronic toll technology when it has taken took over roads in Chicago, Ontario, and elsewhere.
But privatization will probably be a tough sell in Massachusetts. Unions, several public interest groups, business leaders, and politicians have all expressed concerns about a loss of control....
Yeah, let us let corporations ROB US FURTHER!!!
Not like we haven't given them enough taxpayer $$$ already!
