Governor Deval Patrick announced his transportation package, and although I gave it a separate post dealing with the gas tax proposal it entails far more than that. He makes a powerful case for reform here, and without question the system is badly broken and in need of both reform and revenue. And for those who think that reforms are not important I submit that the politics of this issue require reform, regardless of the sacred cows that will be outraged. Without reform the political question here becomes unsolvable. Since both Governor Patrick and Senate Chair Steve Baddour rely heavily on the Transportation Finance Committee proposals I have once again attached them here. We have gotten some response on the gas tax proposal, but is there anything to say about the reforms. (23 and out over at the MBTA is gone.)?
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Bill Manzi.com 
23 and out may be gone, but it’s not retroactive. I haven’t seen how many of those pensions we’ll be paying on for the next 40 years …
-FM
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Oh, Your Honor;
This is the quality of management we have come to expect from the Democratic administration and legislators. What has been a boondoggle since Dukakis and his transportation bank which was to collect revenue for road and bridge maintenance (what happened to that, I wonder?) is now, “without question the system is badly broken and in need of both reform and revenue”.
How long have we been trying to fix this problem? Governor Patrick has been working at it for two years now the only thing he has accomplished is tell us the system is badly broken.
Now you tell us the Governor, “He makes a powerful case for reform here” How can he make a case everyone knew existed for years. He has only shown his ineptness.
Of course he will fix it by taxing us. The Democratic imagination is limited to that solution.
So now we start with “reform”. That scares me right there. By the way, Your Honor,how many times have you used that word in your many blog entries especially over this subject?
Another thing in your post you say …”in need of both reform and revenue”. I thought it was REFORM BEFORE REVENUS.
I see the squirming to back off one of Steve Baddours “promises”.
Solution….we pay more. No Reform before revenue. I got a Starbucks with pastry that says it will be the solution implemented and we will back at it again not too far in the future.
Any takers?
Jules
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Mayor Manzi:
Hi. I think if this gas tax is processed in its presence form you will see many drivers including myself heading to Gas Stations in NH to fill up.
Gerard
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Gerard,
The plain truth is that several of the Governor’s tax proposals will drive business over the state line, including gasoline customers. Methuen being a border community means that we know first hand how difficult it is to retail on our side of the border. I agree with your thought that many border community drivers will tank up over the state line. Maybe the Governor will propose a car chip that will prevent you from driving across state borders.
Bill
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Jules,
I have defined “reform” for you before. I have also posted the Transportation Finance Committee findings, which detail some of the rampant system abuses you refer to. You are without a doubt correct in your assesment that political support for revenues will never come without real “reform”. My point is that I really believe that if we accepted “reform” in the most serious of ways (for example by making you Governor for a week)and did away with ALL of the systemic abuse there is still going to be a revenue shortfall in the transportation area. I still believe, and I know Senator Baddour does as well, that real reform must PRECEDE any attempt to bring in additional revenue. I do not think anyone’s position has changed, and I am not saying the Governor necessarily got it right on the gas tax, but I am saying that additional revenue will be needed in one form or another.
Bill
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Make …. Jules …. Governor … For …. A …. Week?
(sound of head exploding!)
-FM
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Jules:
I don’t much like Starbucks, but if you define reform as at least one piece of wasteful spending eliminated before or coincident with new taxes, you’re on.
Just so I’m up front, I’m right now leaving out a rise in user fees on the Pike in the very near term, since they’re apparently in a race to prevent the bonds from descending into junk, and the Leg may not act fast enough to prevent it.
Agreed with that stipulation?
-FM
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Your Honor,
As I read you last entry I see more taxes. After all it is, in my opinion, the only solution a Democrat is capable of. We will become the first in the nation with highest gas tax. Some honor.
Can you give me your concept. for a possible “REAL reform” that will PRECEDE “REVENUE? I ask this out of respect and not to trap you. Can you see an out without taxing the folks?
I would need to turn down the governorship, as temporary as it is, as I am concerned that Fred could suffer a stroke or something.
Me, I would cut other programs until the budget is balanced. I would also consider future hard times and plan accordingly. Of course the legislature would vote the measures down in a veto proof manner, and then impeach me.
Jules
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Fred,
You certainly set a low threshold for the bet. No way.
I will substitute Dunkin Donuts for Starbucks. The bet is the Governor gets a gas tax increase and there is no Reform before revenue.
Are you game?
Jules
If that happens you win.
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Fred,
I should delete the last sentence, “If that happens you win.”
Jules
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Jules:
Sorry, I used to read contracts as a part of my living, so I seek to resolve ambiguity …
My first statement is that reform is defined as “at least one instance” of reform. I have no doubt there will be more, but the definition is “at least one”. It’s a logical construction only.
My second statement is to clarify the timeframe: we can define three timeframes: taxes before, coincident with, or after reform. My thinking is that if we get reform, it will occur either before or coincident with taxes. Your thinking (and I don’t want to put thoughts into your head), is that reform either doesn’t happen and taxes increase, or happens after taxes increase. Fair?
My next statement is that I hold the increase in Pike tolls separate: I believe they still may go up as an interim measure to avoid defaulting on the credit swaps, and either reform happens (my thought), or it doesn’t (your thought), so I seek to separate what is likely a temporary measure (to which I can hear you laughing from here).
PS. Dunkin is better, but I’d put my vote in at the Country Kitchen downtown, so that the money can have the greatest stimulative effect in the local economy.
Agreed?
-FM
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Jules:
I’m getting thirsty … how about it?
-FM
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Jules:
I guess I’ll be buying my own coffee, it appears that your challenge goes unmet.
-FM
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