Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen resigned yesterday amid many rumors of his impending ouster. Governor Patrick accepted his resignation and issued a statement of thanks:
“Thanks to Secretary Cohen’s expert leadership, we have begun to reverse decades of neglect and are much closer to realizing our shared vision of a better, more efficient transportation system,” Patrick said.
“I am grateful to him for his wise counsel, his support and his dedicated service, both to me as a trusted member of my team and to the citizens of our Commonwealth.”
The Herald story announcing the resignation took a hard shot at the rumored successor, James Aloisi.
Horrified lawmakers and transportation officials were outraged that Patrick is considering Aloisi, who made millions as legal counsel for the Turnpike Authority and was behind tying the $15 billion Big Dig boondoggle to the agency.
“He’s a lingering ghost of Big Dig past, and he’s partly responsible for getting us in this mess in the first place,” said Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth). “I can’t believe there’s nobody else out there capable of serving at this crucial time.”
January should be an interesting month for public policy in Massachusetts. Transportation will be at the top of that interesting public policy list.
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
Do you think the pending assignment of James Aloisi (assuming it happens) bodes well as a solution to our “transportation” problems?
He’s the fellow that prevented the Mass Pike going over to a toll free highway department roadway. He did give to Patrick’s campaign.
Together we can. I can say we are going through change, and not in a good way.
Jules, “I told you so” Gordon.
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