Turnpike Tolls

He's been fairly frequent guest Iran WRKO -- with delighted to welcome back and Mary and I Iran via with Todd and Tom thanks for coming and the -- Got. A good morning Jill thank you hey -- three to -- vote yes today tell us what the discussion was like and why you voted against. Delaying the toll --

Sure that that discussion basically surrounded the issue of public safety and deferring the toll hike. In -- issues related is potential credit rating downgrade from dipping into reserves. -- the black vote against this proposal which is a bit ironic because that and pushing its. It's pushing against this thought -- begin with the debate right I'd vote against this. Was that the police emotion which was perhaps did. It would mean that it in an affirmative vote would be in support couple hundred billion or hike. On July 1 and I just don't think it's that -- is is that right amber. I think -- should be cracked America I think there's ways to look at that are. -- efficiencies I think these issues and as far as the allocation of costs between the let's -- highway system in the western turnpike. Well it metropolitan highway system is bearing. More -- Spanish and perhaps for instance. They police cost. Turnpike YR. 29 million dollars a year. In a series outside lane miles on the western turnpike 200 lane -- the -- properly system. It's the population that's 52% of the costs associated with that. So it -- at least the ability areas before we ask for president talk like. It's great that this is the -- I'm in complete agreement with these senate president and house speaker and the governor that you know it does not make as at this point in time an uncle -- working our own.

But they're they're not saying it doesn't make sense that there are saying that there are afraid to do it until they take care of some other business first like you know curbing some of these problems we've seen with pensions right. Yeah. I definitely not in the gas tax I mean it depends it I think the auto will probably be if we ought to make a prediction I think there's probably -- series opener for some very serious and impressive pension reform and other reforms and then a gas tax. Two idea I assume -- position remains the same gas taxes the more equitable approach rather than just keep pounding the east west Kabila.

Course he left here is pole for the Big Dig in and say it's that bad it's of the big -- primarily enjoyed by north south drivers in -- increase. All relates to the Big Dig it out was. That's the Big Dig up until continuing to Burton want portion of the population is absolutely wrong. It's on terror and public policy and the good -- and that is Pakistan leader. Finally agree. They agree is on that it is not a good policy. That that this decision that was made in 1997. It was apparent.

That decision Bedard are just to be clear on why you decided because you were EU like the idea postponing the toll increase. But you voted against doing that because it calls for -- a bigger increasing you think is appropriate come July.

Yes actually what I tried to do that the result blurted in one of motion whereby a deferment. To turn the increase. The amount to little -- in dip into reserves -- one motion. What I proposed was that we break it up and that should be motions one to two to spend much trying ankle tight. Second which would have voted against with the amount of the twelve -- it's certainly the using reserves. -- I -- added looking into the allocation between this. Properly system in the western turnpike it to -- more -- completion are -- but what western turnpike before dipping interest there. But no one on the board supported my motion to amend the motion so I was -- with these are voting for -- entire idea of voting against it. In the -- remain volatile -- 200 million dollar -- which has.

Just just about it. Mary. How risky now is the credit rating of the turnpike you voted to delay of what was scheduled that the credit. Rating agencies in yup -- looking -- how the heck are you going to pay this legally obligated -- of debt you have. The what's -- what do you think is this a 5050 call now as to whether the turnpike credit rating gets downgraded.

You see that it. So invited there actively aiding and he seemed to indicate that was more likely than not said it would not it would it would not be felt in downgrade. My concern though it all but going back and forth you know that's what I -- is gonna talk I -- expect on. Creates a degree of uncertainty. Investors don't like that kind of uncertainty I think there are still rests. The associated with that the based upon presentation given by the financial adviser. It's a little step because this is a temporary pressure. And that's something something big have to happen as of July 1 that they'd be willing to wait I'm hoping that he's correctness in his assessment. Because that there are great to jump on -- is enough it's not in the turnpike extension has not at all clear is that it is on the part of this best interest. And it's not -- they -- interest because it it creates this that aura. You know not as insufficient funding or if the commonwealth that the whole. So it's it's it would not a good thing but so much hope that there are -- with draft. In this all -- thought they downgrade.

with us from the turnpike authority vote yesterday to postpone the tolls. And now what you're so Mary you said you you like the idea post -- don't like this particular measure. What would you want to see long term if you got to design what happens to the tolls on the turnpike.

I think the term practical she go away altogether -- the promises made in 1953 and promise was broken in the 1980 Eaton is broken again in 1990s -- the turnpike authority to on the Big -- There eat -- hysterical to assist the prospect of increased polls. And reading the governor's. Transportation plan that the mechanism of legislation for increasing Coble from the future and that fear is. It is like -- they'll come down that part of this legislation. In this this consolidation. -- from the -- going to this great pot and it's the cup in under the governor's plan called. That's transportation and the pols colon where are these front affairs from the T. -- for the gas tax in that fund is doled out by the secretary has taken. Who's to say that turnpike toll Payer money while wind up going to -- 9890. Wants. You know apart debate before you TA and shoot it up and in fear is that. You know we thought that we have pulled their authorities thing that happened once in and -- weight in 1997. It won't happen again.

and our plan sounds good to me you get rid of all the calls and I assume then Mary the substitute would be. The more equitably razed and -- economically raised gas tax.

That would be one measure another way would be to continue to look at reforms. I think the legislature is doing a good shot on that I think that the that it is sure prevailing wage should count the paper it's a matter of debate because I think that's cost eternal battle in the turnpike but. Our state an enormous amount of money at least according to the beacon.

You want to get rid of prevailing wage on the turnpike authority.

Well I think that the -- for the not necessarily get rid of that at this point they'll be pretty tall order. I think looking at the ways that the prevailing wage is calculated that it is the starting point. According to the Beacon Hill institute. It stick it -- a waitress calculated under federal guidelines. You'll repeat 22%. Reduction in overall cost for public works project. According according to them in 2011 that's about 200 million dollars. 200 million dollars to about seven cents a gas tax and that -- speeded differential between calculating it. As the with undulating they presently does it. And Gatwick which tend to speak at the new -- that's David in wage. First is the latest federal government calculates that by county in each state and is any shots in the region code for it to county. Measurement. It's but it takes into consideration by the -- is not just union wage. And that -- right there it's those numbers are correct. That's something that should be looked better part of the reform package it is huge issue throughout the politics behind that are pretty significant. But it's something that should come. Come as a matter of debate. And -- if that doesn't work. Com which I would also proposing is the cast practiced -- you know nine cent from the gas tax is not to eliminate the tolls on -- on the turnpike.

They're never they're not going to allow the toll -- on the turnpike I believe because eventually they want to see all travel. Passively. Charge they wanted. The billing us electronically. And they're gonna be using the that the technology that already exists to eventually morph into that don't you believe that.

Well that's a bit under the governor's -- it is the nineteen cents goes through which looks pretty doubtful made but. Is that nineteen cents goes through the government allocated a portion of those the proceeds from have to go to look into. These calling technologies. To take advantage of systems like that I think it's still a long way away in Massachusetts I think a lot of issues that are -- I don't think people are ready.

why I think you're right -- saying is I don't think anybody who's holding political office will support the idea of getting rid of tolls because they see themselves moving in the direction more -- not last you please take -- couple phone calls with us -- 6172666. Seats sixty Cindy and Watertown -- NW RKO Americana in from the turnpike authority.

I get the morning -- on an online mighty -- my question is is as more.

I don't that the rumor I drive that site map like everyday I think he's excited it's a you know joining -- like get your response for.

I pay 27 dollars from. And what I finally did after many of being aggravated I called up and I said.

You know what's up what this state responded can I bring my responder and -- it what is that acknowledged -- and essentially the and to restore gas.

But then the settlement on the other end of the song that surprised me list. They'll be a charge of fifteen cents per month not only could sense yes but picking that up on each responder. And so people had to respond afraid Kankakee said I'd take 27 ballots -- as a picnic and for maintenance.

Well it's a you've gotta double whammy I I I thought you'd. I thought that was just -- people taken the free one.

I don't know -- show let me get corrected it and that's that I voted against this. Measures well that it trying to raise and other fortified.

Million -- all on my mind lord. Very accurate they -- And on the --

This is what happened that 1 morning it was announced that transponders would be free yeah that's fine print -- it's fifty cent charge. -- In doubt that the life of those things about seven or eight years at six cents a month to start the year. At six or seven years so you wind up paying more for each and if you already own one wind up paying for it again. Good that it's -- talking out labeling these as Freddie is such a national park and I don't know if speak about that. Thank you so much -- that it private enterprise is trying to labeled as this straight the secretary. Consumer affairs and be hollow and.

Why don't they just handcuffed us and and frisk us while we're gone through the assaults. It's it's gonna give that India is unbelievable. Not a bit -- Walter -- again. I'm sorry to -- another caller Walter Brockton your WRKO Americana in from the turnpike authority board I --

Good morning. Public order to get to keep away aspects or following. I've never understood lack empathy -- or whatever bridge. Voters have a -- can't technically it was going to eliminate those goals. I mean already --

Yeah I think anybody would who has not gonna have religion in their living. As Walt doesn't Korea the worst thing in the world does the congestion which is gong to happen no matter what type of technology have you'll still have some congestion at these toll -- that while makes a good good point about a efficiency and all the other arguments that Mary has made on behalf of a gas tax as a replacement and a substitute for a patrols -- about a 61726666. -- and take a quick break and continue -- comment from turnpike authority board. Your calls. Please questions I mean insights that was a remarkable job to find out that people know that I don't know if you were. In another about the fifty cent monthly knowing -- like the fifty's so in my sometimes as a service -- Erica I don't know I thought that was if you went to get a free law and that you were gonna get you may -- announced everybody's -- that they feel -- get them both way home and Cindy is -- going to move out of state now I can't afford it.