Senator Steve Baddour talks to Jim Braude on NECN, taking the hard questions on transportation, discussing the gas tax (no gas tax increase this year), tolls, and transportation reform. The Senator takes the Senate position that some road privatization should be considered as part of reform, talks about toll equity, and the future prospects for funding our transportation needs. His new blog has announced some hearings through a joint press release with House Chair Joseph Wagoner.
Wagner and Baddour to host a series of transportation hearings on
Public-Private Partnerships, status of Governor’s transportation plan, Proposed Toll Increases and Gas Tax legislation, and recommendations of the Transportation Finance Commission
Legislature moves forward in its effort to develop a comprehensive transportation reform planDecember 1, 2008, Boston – Representative Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee) and Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen), Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Transportation, today announced a series of hearings on transportation reform and transportation finance.
“We both have concerns and reservations about increasing the state gas tax and increasing tolls to the level proposed by the Turnpike Authority before instituting a comprehensive package of transportation reforms”, said Chairman Wagner and Chairman Baddour. “Any discussion of increased taxes and tolls has to be done in the context of broader and all-inclusive reforms. We hope that this series of hearings will begin to make this process more transparent.”
The first in the series will be an informational hearing on Public-Private Partnerships. The purpose of the hearing is to provide a public forum for political leaders in Massachusetts to engage experts from the financial, academic, and other related industries about the progression of Public-Private Partnerships within the United States. Specifically the hearing will address potential pros, cons, best practices, and challenges of utilizing a Public-Private Partnership in the Commonwealth.
WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Informational Hearing on Public-Private Partnerships
WHERE: State House, Room 222
WHEN: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 1:00PM
The second oversight hearing will be on the status of the Patrick Administration’s plans to reform transportation agencies:
WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Patrick Administrations transportation plans
WHERE: State House, Room TBD
WHEN: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 11:00AM
WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Tolls and Gas Tax
WHERE: State House, Room TBD
WHEN: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 11:00AM
WHAT: Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight Hearing on Transportation Finance Commission Recommendations
WHERE: State House, Room TBD
WHEN: Tuesday, January 6, 2008 at 11:00AM
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
Let’s see; 5 years in the senate. He’s Chairman of the Transportation Committee, He’s been living through the Mass Pike/Big Dig hell for all that time, He has been in office all during our debt horror and he is READY to hold hearings???
What has he been doing all this time? He writes editorials and talks BS. Of course Jim Braude is the guy to ask tough questions of a fellow Democrat.
WHY HASN’T BADDOUR’S COMMITTEE WORKED OUT A PLAN AND PRESENTED COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS BY NOW? This guy is getting paid just for showing up.
Privatization, another word for “being taxed by a foreign entity”, is a way to foster the tax collection elsewhere while the responsible party relinquishes responsibility. “Hey, don’t come to me, go to Spain, they own the road”.
Check out Christy Mihos’ editorial in today’s Herald. I don’t know if his ideas will work, but they are thoughtful and should be considered. They certainly are superior to Baddours’ ideas which are NONE.
Do you notice there are no budget cutting ideas even talked about, unless you want to count the 100 cars removed from employee use by our “together we can” Governor.
Your Honor, All democrats and between them not a clue.
Jules.
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