Mike
Well-Known Member
A legislative panel in Massachusetts met Wednesday, Dec. 3, to discuss transportation funding options, including the possibility of leasing the Massachusetts Turnpike to private investors.
The Massachusetts Legislature Joint Transportation Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Steve Baddour, D-Methuen, and Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, called four hearings to discuss funding options.
Hearing topics include public-private partnerships, Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to merge transportation agencies, proposals to increase state fuel taxes and/or Massachusetts Turnpike tolls, and a review of recommendations made by the state Transportation Finance Commission.
“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,” the lawmakers said in a statement.
“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 hearing was Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the State House to discuss the pros and cons of public-private partnerships for the Massachusetts Turnpike, including the Big Dig tunnels in Boston.
More: Land Line
The Massachusetts Legislature Joint Transportation Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Steve Baddour, D-Methuen, and Rep. Joseph Wagner, D-Chicopee, called four hearings to discuss funding options.
Hearing topics include public-private partnerships, Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to merge transportation agencies, proposals to increase state fuel taxes and/or Massachusetts Turnpike tolls, and a review of recommendations made by the state Transportation Finance Commission.
“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,” the lawmakers said in a statement.
“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 hearing was Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the State House to discuss the pros and cons of public-private partnerships for the Massachusetts Turnpike, including the Big Dig tunnels in Boston.
More: Land Line
