I don’t know if we can attribute all of this activity to Steve Baddour’s entry into the blogosphere, but transportation policy is front and center everywhere. A letter from the Governor to the legislature urging a slowing of the rush to a gas tax increase, along with Speaker Dimasi speaking in favor of a gas tax increase, Senate President Terry Murray talking about delaying any prospective toll increases, and the Globe weighing in in favor of a gas tax increase, as well as Scott Lehigh talking about the political boon to Speaker Dimasi from his new position of advocating for a gas tax increase instead of a toll hike. My head is spinning. Lets deal with the Governor’s letter to the legislature. Here it is!

Dear Members of House and Senate,

Last week, in a column published by The Boston Globe, I set forth my objectives for the future of our transportation system. I believe that a safe, efficient and cost- effective transportation system is critical to building a strong Commonwealth, but that our transportation network today is poorly organized and underfunded. Compounding those problems, prior administrations have failed to level with the public, and perhaps with you, about the dual burdens of debt and neglect which our transportation system bears. Fundamental reform of our system and how we pay for it is essential.

A toll increase on the eastern end of the Turnpike is not the long-term solution for our combination of challenges. No one wants to raise tolls. But the action of the Turnpike Authority was unavoidable because the debts of prior administrations have to be paid today. It is merely a step taken in the context of broader reform.

The Authority’s action has generated serious discussions among many of you and the public about alternatives to the proposed toll increase. I welcome that discussion. Whether the alternative involves a gas tax increase or some other solution (such as whole or partial privatization), I ask you to bear three principles in mind:

1. Is it enough? A gas tax increase sufficient to avoid the proposed toll increase but that otherwise leaves the status quo in place is no solution. There is Big Dig debt assigned to the MBTA as well as to the Turnpike, with the same debilitating effect. There are other unmet transportation needs as well. If an
alternative funding source is under serious consideration, consider a comprehensive solution.

2. Is it dedicated? We ought not to consider, and I cannot support, any alternative that is not dedicated entirely and exclusively to transportation investment and maintenance.

3. Is it a part of comprehensive reform? Now is the time to radically simplify our transportation system, including re-examining the need for several overlapping agencies to oversee and manage it. The public will not accept throwing new money at the same broken system. Working within our present limitations, we have made substantial progress in reforms at the Turnpike Authority, saving millions of dollars. A unified system could save even more and deliver better service.

We have an opportunity to correct a lot of poor decision-making from the past, and set the course for a much stronger transportation future. My administration looks forward to working with you to do so wisely.

Respectfully,

Deval Patrick

The Governor weighs in, looking for a comprehensive solution that will meet the total transportation needs of the Commonwealth. But we have a three headed monster starting to be formed, with Murray/Baddour, Dimasi, and Patrick all coming at this from different angles. And the sniping at the Governor has been intensifying, with Baddour lancing him over the lack of a comprehensive proposal, saying in today’s Globe:

“Part of the problem is for the last 18 months we’ve all been waiting for a comprehensive plan,” said Senator Steven A. Baddour, a Methuen Democrat and chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

“We haven’t received one, and then we wake up one day and are told tolls are going up to $7,” Baddour said. “I understand shock and awe, but it’s a little too dramatic.”

And the Republicans whacked the Governor and the Legislature, calling for reforms now, before any revenues, toll or gas tax, are considered.

Republicans seized on the debate over gas taxes to portray the Democratic governor and legislative leaders as engaging in post-election revenue raising.

“The election was only two weeks ago and already in record time, the Democrats want to increase taxes first instead of instituting long overdue reforms and decreasing state spending,” said House minority leader Bradley H. Jones Jr.

What about these “reforms”? Why is talking about “reform” so popular, but listing specifics so lacking. What are the goals of reform, and what are the specific proposals to implement this reform? I will post the full report of the Romney transportation finance commission tommorow, and when you read it you will be stunned. Matt Viser wrote a great story in today’s Globe. Link to it here.

The Scott Lehigh piece is here.

The Globe editorial, “Think Big on Transportation” is here.