Governor Deval Patrick, in an interview on WBUR, said that he had contacted federal authorities about the feasibility of adding tolls at all border locations. He indicated a belief that such a system could replace all of the current toll locations inside of Massachusetts, excepting possibly the tunnel. From the State House News Service:
Federal authorities are open to border tolls in Massachusetts, new tolling that could eliminate the need for the current fees, Gov. Deval Patrick said Friday. Patrick said he was considering “border tolls at all of the interstate entrances and maybe route 3 as well.” Federal approval is required on such border tolls, and Patrick has said his administration has contacted Washington. “We have made those overtures to the federal authorities to see if they would work with us, and they are open to it,” Patrick said during an appearance on WBUR on Friday afternoon. “If we did that right, it would be possible, possible, to remove all of the tolls inside of the Commonwealth. Maybe you’d keep something at the tunnel,” Patrick said
Pretty odd stuff in light of the fact that we are supposedly to receive a “transportation reform” plan from the Governor very shortly. Will this be a part of the plan, or is it a trial balloon to be considered later? The Senate Chair of Transportation, Steve Baddour of Methuen, has expressed vigorous opposition in the past to schemes involving border tolls on Rte 93. Has this possibility been vetted through the legislature? Would a new tolling system be in addition to a gas tax hike, or have an impact on the recommended size of such a gas tax hike?
The Governor, in the absence of his own plan, seems to continue to struggle with presenting a consistent message on needed transportation revenues. The Senate, and Senator Baddour and President Murray specifically, have beaten him to the door on the reform portion of transportation. That leaves him with the unglorious task of revenues. That brings to mind a saying that should resonate with the Governor: “He who hesitates…….”
Bill Manzi.com 
Unbelievable, in fact. After all the waste and mismanagement in the Mass Pike authority, and a chance that regressive tolls come off the Mass Pike, he wants more toll booths, and more opportunity for waste and mismanagement. (have i mentioned that i hate tolls?)
I may start holding hands with Jules soon.
Figuratively, of course.
How many third rails can one politician touch?
Show us the reform! Then raise the taxes you need, and get it over with, already!
-FM
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Your Honor,
I am sending Fred an application to the conservative movement. You never know.
However, before he signs the application, I got to get him off the TAXES OK to the NO TAXES ANYTIME philosophy.
I notice he still uses “reform” as an actual achievable possibility in Massachusetts.
Fred, in politicospeak “Reform” means “It gets worse”.
Follow the light.
Jules
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Your Honor.
Are we starting “border wars”?
Jules
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Never, Sir! Death before Dishonor, and I do not intend to die on the wrong side of the Supply Side.
I’m currently mining an economics thread that some of the progressives among you may find interesting. It’s painfully long, and contains a lot of detail, but I’m finding I’m not alone in my fears about debt. I’m going to disappear for awhile to digest ….
http://www.thomhartmann.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=106&func=view&id=277057&catid=67&limit=40&limitstart=200
-FM
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Fred,
This is a left wing web site. Everything is tainted to the left.
Tell you what, don’t throw Thomas Hartman at me and I won’t throw Rush at you. OK?
Jules
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Jules:
As you’ve noticed, I didn’t throw it to you, but to the progressives who might be also reading along for fun. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading or listening to Mr. Hartman, but I do find some interesting things in the blog, which I found through a random google search to back up earlier assertions.
For you, I’d point you down to the section written by Ralph Gomory, former IBM exec on free trade. The book referenced has been on my Amazon wishlist for about a year now. Maybe I should pick it up.
I seek the truth, be it right or left wing. It just seems that at this moment in time, it may be tilted in a way that is not comfortable for you.
-FM
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