Merrimack Valley

Legislative leaders agree on abolishing Turnpike Authority

Baddour says "sacred cows" dealt with

Staff and News Service Reports
Published: June 18, 2009

BOSTON — On a day that has become known as a hack holiday on Beacon Hill, Massachusetts House and Senate leaders last night reached agreement on a massive overhaul of the state's transportation bureaucracy, including the elimination of the heavily in debt Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

"This is probably 90 percent of the reforms that have been pushed for years. This bill tackles a lot of issues. It's going to fundamentally change transportation in the commonwealth," state Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, said.

"It addresses all the perceived sacred cows," said Baddour, Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

The bill is expected to be voted on by the full House and Senate today.

The deal came as the state's top power brokers — House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Gov. Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray — made it a point to be visible while the remainder of government employees in Suffolk County enjoyed Bunker Hill Day, a unique holiday that has sparked criticism amid the recession.

One of the "sacred cows" Baddour spoke of is elimination the so-called "23 and out" provision for future Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees effective July 1. Under the bill, MBTA employees will be required to reach 25 years of service and 55 years of age to collect retirement benefits.

The legislation also would put all current and retired MBTA workers under the state's Group Insurance Commission, a move the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimated would save the state $35 million a year.

"Right now the majority of MBTA retirees pay zero for their health insurance. Under this bill, they'll pay 15 percent," Baddour said.

In addition, the bill would consolidate several existing transportation agencies that oversee roads, airports and mass transit under a single department called the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), potentially saving $6.5 billion during the next 20 years, according to legislative leaders.

The agency would be divided into four parts overseeing the Registry of Motor Vehicles; highways, including bridges and the western portion of the turnpike; mass transit, including the MBTA; and Aeronautics, overseeing municipal airports.

"I think the magnitude of the reform is the best part about it," Baddour said.

"A lot of lessons learned from the Big Dig are included in this bill. We require significant reporting of activities. We open the books and make it a very transparent authority," Baddour said.

Patrick endorsed transportation reform but had also called for a 19 cents per gallon increase in the state's gasoline tax to avoid turnpike toll increases and cuts in mass transit. The Legislature, in a budget still awaiting final approval, moved instead to raise the state's sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent.

"Since November, when all we were hearing about was a gas tax, the Senate has insisted that we cannot simply throw new revenue into a broken transportation system, we need to reform the system first," said Murray.

With the Statehouse otherwise nearly empty, Patrick invited reporters into his office to watch him meeting with members of a citizens transportation advisory group. DeLeo also allowed reporters into his office, and Murray visited him as a bank of television cameras sat outside.

DeLeo reiterated his support for two special holidays that have come under fire — Bunker Hill Day and Evacuation Day, or St. Patrick's Day, in March — and said the relative calm belied activity behind the scenes.

"All of the conferees and all of the folks that are involved in some of the items, I know, are diligently at work today," DeLeo said.

Amid the Bunker Hill criticism, DeLeo said he recently voted to retain the holiday because it is fair for public employees and because of the history of the Revolutionary War battle commemorated that day.

Patrick, however, said he would sign a bill that proposes to eliminate the two holidays.

Staff reporter Mark E. Vogler contributed to this report. Material from The Associated Press also is included.