Turnpike lawsuit

Ran out of the studio during the top of the hour news but I was checking in with the today show Jeff because I always like to see what they're up to what's up there on the cutting edge of the breaking news stories about and others corroded North Korea's. Is trying to create a Cuban missile crisis is entirely in Honolulu assign it all these big things going on line world I want to see how the today -- so what is America's number 1 morning news program focused on this morning US. I do that you do what what -- focused on the Jonas Brothers are performing live. How was out in the street house cut the outspoken having the camera following him around show the crowds in every direction okay now. And also coming up an emotional interview with a true superstar. Angelina Jolie. On America's number 1 morning news program. How about that decline and fall of west it's -- center -- argument MRI only it is watch every every single. Morning. And how -- the guy who is that I don't even look up -- that television the guy who fights to save mankind. On our behalf his attorney Jan selectmen here remember well he had -- and a he's the only guy I know personally who's been played by John Travolta. So I hold women especially high esteem because of that and he doesn't flies on 747 power -- you should see the Porsche going to mr. -- math. Anyway this is new transportation reform legislation that apparently has something in -- call toll equity. Which has to do with ending this growing of people -- from the western suburbs as I understand Chan is here explain good morning mr. shipment. Good morning Jim good to have you tell us. Tell us about these provisions that have been tucked into the transportation reform you encouraged -- is that I wash.

No I'm very very encouraged I really do believe that I've had a chance look at this trustees reform bill and it really. Does it is a real reform there's no question about that but -- and most particular. To our. Concern is that it incorporates as a base principal. Toll equity debt to all revenue received from told. Have to be spent on the whole -- a surface the toll road itself and can't be used for something else which of course is that the very thing we've been fighting against and -- unconstitutional use toll money to pay for the into the big -- what is now declares. Reaffirms just 125 year old. A constitutional principle and it's right here is a fundamental principle of that of the nutrients they -- also we cannot be happier that they the legislature. Has that stated in reaffirmed this very important principle.

stunned silence that the legislature might have actually done real reform I am probably more of up more of a consistent believer and at least the chance federal happened. And I'm happy to hear that you great. Is there any potential that they have found. Creatively expanded the definition of toll road showed continues so it would include. That Big Dig that events. Oh -- alarmed about.

Well I think it's right for people to be concerned about that I know that some. Legislators who voted against it -- are concerned about that from from mighty analysis of the statute. You know from a lawyer's standpoint. There's a clear prohibition. It's a toll equity provision that states clearly. That all the revenue received from tolls. Quote Shelby applied exclusively to. The payment of existing debt service on such told roads and the cost of maintaining an operations. On such toll roads so it is say it's. The language could not be more explicit that whole money should go for the tolled road not to something else so that gives me comfort as a lawyer that if there is any kind of playing around or shenanigans -- an attempt to back door. -- told. You know that told to be paid for something else you have -- you have a tool.

have a cause of that yeah you know because of that that language is in the new bill.

Yes I just read dignity explicitly right from the statute it's all the revenue received from told. Have rates fees rentals and other charges for transit over through all tolled roads bridges or tunnels Shelby applied exclusively to the payment of.

This is variance percent -- apparently the Democrats are abandoning unions and embracing chance like front. It's it's a big slam for a -- it is.

So there's definitely it was a very strange atmosphere as the stayed out -- they have to say I want wanted to. A look at this really historic a moment and it was very interesting to see. You know legislators really talking about real reform and -- you know it's -- north counter to the image that we all have but I it was going to be greatly encouraged by -- have to tell you.

Did you bring up particularly toxic and with fewer it was something in the air -- I felt. Guilty and I -- out on a regular basis it would do him good to go up there once in awhile and actually meet and speak with these people out of other than offering his utterances from her from behind the Mike every -- I have somebody and he he says afterwards -- that has really impressive he's a -- thoughtful guys. It's that about both the guys he's a carefully selected. To bring in have to all the a.

Look we love the action around and we'll let you know and then they obviously give us lots of reasons sometimes the -- that many times to do that. But I could tell -- Yeah is impressive there are a lot of really great people you know Lori Ehrlich. -- marveled at she and her second term here but she's been a real.

She's a very impressive woman in keep in mind she's she's a -- liberal like kill everybody up there. But she's like she's still a very impressive woman the ago Lori Ehrlich.

She stood for you know toll equity for her constituents and she wouldn't you know she stood her ground. And she was you know and she allowed others to begin with -- and and others did you know. Represented -- You know illustration and a whole bunch of other representatives stood their ground and said what toll equity for our constituents and -- And the house conference committee members and the speaker himself the Leo we're foursquare patrol equity and they didn't -- and it was just very encouraging to see. You don't not only them talking about it but they're actually walk in the.

Now I don't want to make false assumptions chance like -- about this phrase you're using toll equity does that mean. What you're -- for which is you're not allowed to screw -- commuters from the western suburbs anymore or does it mean something broader.

Note to equity means that it should be that the tolls charged. Should reflect the service provided and that money collected should be spent on that told wrote to provide that service which is what's required anyway. Would that is what the constitution demands if you gonna charge -- need that he would use that service now certainly the premise.

Who is lobbying whose funneling money to the legislators to get them to go to toll equity clause in their I don't get.

Yeah -- you know it's it is it is set up an unbelievable inequity between the north shore in the metro west it's been going on for over a decade. And into it too and didn't do it means that whoever -- appears to have Tutu and about half a billion dollars or more has been taken out of the pockets of toll -- Because this inequity and it's just it's a form of human bondage to the big debt which is just intolerable.

No -- serious about whose son who moves on doing this suit is this is simply because there are legislators are looking for fairness.

Well it's just that this such gross -- regional inequity it just can't be ignored and certainly the people you know the constituents are making their voice.

You know like that is so true and what I was really gratified to see it was crossed party lines you know whatever you know conservative liberal libertarian Democrat Republican and everybody is -- you know it's just been confronted with a gross inequity it's fairness and it just won't stand. Once you've talked about it and -- absolutely -- show and so many other you know you know media have been focusing attention on it thank goodness and when you focus attention -- it. You have to do something about it because there is no answer to the other side you can't justify. You know inflating one group of people to subsidize the use of you know important service by other people.

You've got to the slight chance so cool he's idealistic. You hear that I -- in the -- in the same idealism and you find this laughable but the same idealism. Resides up at the status it's their every day there's -- want to try to do the right thing. Yeah but those are the first charmer sir. Yeah. And the speaker takes -- under his -- hot hot hot hot hot hot I can't thanks for the update. They might appreciate -- jobs hole.