Baddour: I Don’t Represent Boston Elites

Posted on February 26, 2009 by billmanzi

The Senate Chair of Transportation went on yesterday with Jim Braude, talking about the Governor’s transportation plan and the toll hikes voted by the Mass Pike. Baddour stuck to his mantra of “reform before revenue”, and alternately discussed the tension with Governor Patrick over transportation issues, the Senate Presidents criticism of Secretary Aloisi over his treatment of Republican Pike Board member Mary Connoughton, (Baddour agreed with that criticism), and what the political landscape is for Governor Patrick’s proposals. Baddour again scored a tough hit on gas tax proponents, saying that “the Boston elites” were in favor of a gas tax increase, and that he represented working folks in the Merrimack Valley, not those elites. Good interview, with Braude being the best in the business on that front. Boston elites? Ouch!

http://www.necn.com/avp.swf?o%5D!mv('1/Wb&Q-/*wf?Huhgt.Cb*R*EGe4qi2XA|9gGZJ:wo772obaQOM8Vg~HF,;yQHITVGmuy1i=,0$%20X(2.ZLtdEl$A4PuG0cu~%20DFb2X?YGjMT9h.Kl54V%5D8|%5BB-=(%5B1/Z*x@HqO)3BP9)yrg$vr'aBDTxataAr2U6oXUB/G'a*%5BeLKruOICyhSbF|~hzo)s)6Kl.&c_g$n%20%20V#N2-37kC~K.VbnsW'fQcB

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4 Responses to Baddour: I Don’t Represent Boston Elites

  1. Jim says:
    February 26, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    “Reform before revenue”, “At the end of the day” — Remove each instance of those statements from this interview and his last one on NECN, and nothing new was stated…

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  2. Jules Gordon says:
    February 26, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Your Honor,

    You and I do not agree that Jim Braude is the best in the (interview) business. He is a Democratic Wonk who once headed up TEAM to drive taxes in the Commonwealth.

    Did you notice Jim drove his question as if tax increases were neccessary and did not discuss budget cuts.

    I congratulate Steve on his stance on “reform before revenue”.

    I still believe we will have tolls and gas tax increases, though.

    I will stay tuned.

    Jules

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  3. Bob LeBlanc says:
    February 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Frankly, it is all rather confusing. Sen Baddour has hailed legislation he pushed and enacted in the past as the REFORM answer to the overhaul of the transportation system.

    Now once again the cry is reform! Well what was it before or what was expected to work and did not? Or was it not as billed?

    The NEED is to CUT costs. That happpens when you eliminate duplication of effort. Sen Baddour has said that his proposal, which is close to that submitted by the Governor, would eliminate duplication and save $1 BILLION.

    If that is the truth it needs to be implemented NOW! If that is done then we need neither toll increases or gas tax increases.

    And if that is the truth WHY in the world is the Governor pushing for HIGHER taxes and fees?

    I guess the bottom line is what is the truth this time?

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  4. Fred Mertz says:
    February 28, 2009 at 8:19 am

    The Senator is correct that they don’t vote on PowerPoints, but neither do they vote on sound bites …

    Bob, I’m getting the sense that a whole lot of people don’t want to deal in the truth.

    -FM

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