Howie talks to Mary Connaughton about the Tolls

" Broncos during her from the new balanced world headquarters building. --"

" Did somebody special deals mr. presidents don't get it passed at all costs turn your stomach -- They did not help stay in there may frustrate me but you know this is a democracy -- I would've loved nothing better than to simply come up with some very elegant -- academically. Approved approach to health care. And didn't have any kinds of legislative fingerprints on it and just go ahead and -- that pets but that's not how it works in."

" Our democracy do Laura. Why wouldn't you run for president. I will head to Iowa I think if I believe that that has the right thing to do for our country and for the Palin family certainly I would do something sarcasm and send them the means anarchy quality of some of her shots -- Obama. With different time she went after him on the teleprompter issue and then it was noted by a soccer. Did she looked down at her hand during the QNA and that honor hand. There she admitted her top three point energy and budget cuts tonight optimism how we -- our."

" All people who could not even spell the word but. More stayed in English -- Make committed socialist ideologues. In the White House. -- Lloyd -- WR stereo radio networks."

" Why 877469432218774694322. That is the toll free. Number. Of the -- car show if you would like to join us here this afternoon and every weekday afternoon if you wanna listen to the show on the article -- website how we cart dot com Howard cart dot com quick from the live audio streaming. If you're traveling west of the city and its metro west as it's called or even in the western parts of the city and but Boston signal has faded out on you. I'll always remember that you can listen to the entire Howie -- show him west of the city on WC RN AMA thirty WC RN AM. 830. Oh we should Patrice is checked and she says. She says -- which is being humble but not mentioning the show I love the halftime show she's a big who fail and it was thrilling excellent. PSU couldn't do what paltry and pounds and do with 65 when you were 25354555. -- you'd be Luke warm. Someone who's just you know not that -- not that into the -- Patrice that's who I am to be that lukewarm. All right that's a -- reward bad they weren't bad. 18774694322. Only to be watching much TV. For the next few weeks using this time after super -- switch over to watching UNC basketball this year from. I don't know but that we built tune in and see how badly -- spanking them on Wednesday night but an original but that all right. 18774694322. That's the toll free number of our car show will be joined by yet Charlie Baker a little bit later in the show the Republican not a candidate for governor. Right now wanted to talk to the a Republican candidate for state auditor."

" Budge because of issues to be on the board of the Massachusetts turnpike authority. Which technically no longer exists I suppose. But -- that there's a story in The Herald today it's a lead story Governor Deval Patrick is moving quietly forward with a plan to install electronic tolling on the Massachusetts turnpike. The with target the costly patronage -- toll takers as he pushes for reelection. The high speed drive -- system stolen the discussion phase could in nightmarish backups and save millions of dollars. Per year and toll -- salaries. This is a vital step given the State's enormous shortfall in transportation funding said Michael Widmer president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation who also serve on Patrick transportation finance committee. -- the story came from because came from one of my idea sources was also source for Hillary -- shall -- wrote the story today. Any call me about it on Saturday morning tell me you what was going on that they wouldn't that Patrick and his people have been speaking to reap the autumn but that's so open road polling so call. And and what he said the media and I -- along with the sky and I'm not an enemy of all toll takers even though the president of the union said that I used to spit on the courtroom quarters before I would hand them over. Mean does that make sense. But that's neither here and there. The this guy said to -- said you know. I know you don't like -- how -- a march but you know this is not about us I mean we might lose our jobs are some of this might lose our jobs but. This is about you meaning motorists. As a what do you mean he says he says if this thing works do you think you're gonna just do what on the turnpike. And banging that thing. Yeah it's -- that's a pretty good point you know the talking about these chips. You remember Scott Brown at his press conference after was sworn into the US summit last week was trying to explain to the clueless beltway reporters that there a lot of issues here in this state to one of them is the fact that they wanna put a chip in the cars. It's been suggested in -- that way to exit poll people Bora efficiently. So joining us now on the line is Mary caught on and she's the Republican candidate for state auditor a former member. Of the Massachusetts turnpike board of directors. Mary in my MIA MI being paranoid here in think. That that you -- much as I would like to see the poll takers gone that may -- this is gonna end up costing me money in the long run."

" Well first of all -- you know they shouldn't be any -- to begin with the main promise was broken years ago I'll agree but. I broke what they're trying to do my understanding it it's not like the satellite system whether they're being checked in here in your. Inspection sticker I believe that the overhead. System whereby he have a regular transponder it's probably modified transponder."

" Compared with there is now it gets high speed polling Ricky goes straight through like in the -- and other parts of the country."

" To avoid the concrete barriers with terrorist tremendously unsafe."

" And inefficient and they would be collection having toll collection cost."

" But you're right you know it's there there is we do Lebanese sources deemed deficient then anything can happen. But it will be -- big game that he patient but I'm telling you."

" After sitting through those fine hearings. On its proposed toll hike last year unconvinced that the people will not let that happen. I mean people were just so irate when they were talking about increasing existing told that they start talking that anytime in the near future about adding more cooling areas."

" I think if people would go through the roof. And I think Governor Patrick got that message loud and clear I can't imagine that he wanted to do this."

" So what does that he's going back but he's going back to this drawing board here play you know there's no question about this CC is giving out interviews today about it."

" Right that -- will first about good looking at -- two years ago and mysteriously they scrapped to bid on it so that it went out to bid two years ago."

" And -- immediately different about the toll collectors sick situation that you're -- they were saying that they're going to lay off."

" hundred toll collectors and they back that number down to fifty and then there was that great Easter debacle and then and none are laid off."

" So it now all the."

" What is charged with dismembering his and cooking his Coke dealer I guess has been taken off the dial."

" I think he's got that there are -- why should."

" A lot reduction but they talked about the going to be interesting thing is -- and then I heard Governor Patrick. I've been quoted saying that we had that we need to turnpike had done. Ted played 31 million dollars a year from 2007 to 2008 because of middle management toll collector lay off."

" And I thought that -- member of the board I would know about that that happened and it turned out that that 31 million dollars wasn't from layoffs there are middle management reduction."

" It was from that reducing expenses that certain contracts relate to the big big because that Big Dig was done. So I mean that would delay that they throw around numbers is something that really can't be looked at very closely."

" But done that but in my opinion if they're going to be toll from the shouldn't be told on the Mass Turnpike it it it it shouldn't happen."

" governor Romney's team back into that written for a evolved packet came and voted to eliminate the tolls on the western turnpike but the first thing that governor tactic did when he came in the same way we can't do that. And -- project with an expert."

" But it put it there aren't into it are going to be told first -- get rid of him on the western -- turnpike to begin with now and I think they can do that."

" But they should arm -- having these these advanced polling mechanisms are safer and more efficient and they do. They do reduce congestion. The question isn't how much are they going to Costa if they go into debt. To put these things up this this -- just another way to perpetuate. The ongoing with the problems --"

" Again -- if you wanna talk to Americana about this you know this is the this is the latest from my Deval Patrick got them now they want to what have open road -- so called tear down the -- just open -- Told you wish you way as you drive by. And it would allow a court the system would allow motorists allow I like that weren't allow it like you. -- is a real opportunity. Yeah that would allow motorists to yeah -- is under two overpasses equipped to pick up transponders are snapped photos of license plates. -- this whole thing about snapping photos of license plates that doesn't seem like it's very efficient does so that somebody's gonna put out and and find out what a license number is in the jets had to send out a bill if you don't have a transponder."

" And and that is that is the big in the case I think having that part this system and in -- usually is is what -- prevent. Polling agencies from going forward with a plan like dead. Some of try to at least one internationally know them that what happened to -- the -- plane back to lay up -- the content congestion. It. Beyond -- and headed. -- area. -- very expensive to figure out what to do with people that do not have. The electronic means like -- transponder to collect the data."

" And that that that's typical Robin that's what I did but some tolling authority has done as they push the cash -- Way over to this side but you have to have this space to do that's -- I don't know how they would do that on the Massachusetts turnpike."

" I don't get a lot of -- do you think that's what the Teamsters are gonna say to that there's no room for these for these cash only lanes. And the the cost here to Raytheon. Charged 230. Million dollars to install on the open road tolling system on the Florida turnpike a gutsy that's -- 600 miles but that's still. Tool 230 million box."

" It would stairwell it's it's costly in the other content to demolish the toll -- It's and that's not inexpensive."

" Hey I got another idea Americana and why don't we just do away with the -- I'd like that idea how. That's a -- that's -- again tomorrow."

" Contest that is if you know it and cause I know and many of your listeners know that completely unfair the way that this tolling mechanism this whole structure was put into place."

" And that it is it can be ended and be fair to everyone -- that the east west drivers are paying an undue burden. And not only impacts their pocketbooks directly impacts. The region -- impact metro west in terms of property values everything else being hateful."

" If you if you want if you had to try to work on a toll road versus an untold -- the person's going to choose to drive to work from untold brought in other words."

" Buy a house north and south of the city."

" But that and again that it is everything being equal we know everything it never equal but still it impacts the region is it's grossly unfair."

" Well you know a thing used to running and I blame this more on the TV people from the -- I mean it's it was -- week we told the -- pretty straight league but you know he did you have the TV reporter -- today in the -- and some other radio and the one radio station that covers it. If they wanna they're asking. Would would you like to have the toll -- torn down and then be told me -- giving them this this phony he option you know I mean -- but you of the sale will lead I don't -- don't like waiting in the -- well obviously nobody likes waiting in line. But what would I I wish that -- on the question. Would you prefer to have the toll -- torn down period and not have to pay this you know 2000 dollars a year. That nobody else the people of north and south of the city don't have to play. Mean that's -- that's the real lot choice here is not."

" That's the question that the debate you know that it. I don't think this state government is going to offer that -- anytime in the near future -- toss -- it's going but that would be a great question they had -- again."

" How -- it if they go to this system. You know it's going to be financed through debt independent going to have to be paid back home but there that perpetuate the truck perpetuate the system."

" Sat down debt but just some raw numbers. Toll collection called the toll and toll collectors cost about forty."

" Million dollars a year it's not insignificant because of cost and on top of that is that congress for trans -- the people that are doing."

" Our armed current."

" And then antiquated they're driving through fifteen miles an hour and miles and -- that is done it is a lot slower than going through it at it -- he's gonna tell."

" Only brutal it will be particularly brutal on a night like Wednesday night when -- when it's going. You know I mean that's when you're really that's when you really become angry with having to wait in the U Cecily lines do what to pay money and then you know they never they never -- supposedly they're -- they waved people through and emergencies. I will but they they never do they never do that anymore about cents a Deval Patrick came into office."

" We all remember Easter we don't remember too well."

" Yes we do. Wonder if you wanna if you wanna call we can take a couple of calls here 1877469432218774694322. Thirty bodies and is in many of their it -- okay. 18774694322. What is the it'll are we supposed to believe. Not once not once says -- the pipes gone I feel better about everything. The merry you know I have always wondered about this why how stupid they think we are."

" I know there's been no change in -- I'm thinking that part of this is motivated by the have to show that they've done something now that they've consolidated all of these transportation agencies. They consolidate the turnpike."

" With -- highway registry of motor vehicles to regional airport the regional transportation authority they create this whole little five member board. All -- Governor Patrick appointees."

" And of course you know attorneys are making money -- that the consultant and making money off off. The consolidation. They have to show that they're doing something I think that that is part of the motivation behind this to show that this this new."

" Use or Melanie who had had some -- to -- to it may occur."

" Hey Dan your next with how we car and Mary caught of them the former member of the turnpike board of directors and now on the Republican candidate for state daughter go ahead damn."

" What I'd like this recruit we ought to occur. Canada and let die and I apologize for the audio I really anxious I'm not up or not. About alt text but. You'll probably never -- on in the quarters Joe's -- fiscal quarters salon."

" Absolutely. Yeah. You know me better than that that debt -- who's really had a -- union accuses me of something I'd never --"

" That's right thumb but what concerns they vote for who they are certainly -- work in Massachusetts. And I'll go to New York a lot where we saw transponders going to be -- allowed straighter than. It's just kind some kind of federal rule eventually here."

" Political we don't know what the future is going to claiming that there aren't systems not I don't think -- that they're talking about now but you never know that actually that the satellite above attractive. If you haven't kept in your -- they're inspection sticker tracks re going. And there's some plans in -- charge based upon how many miles you actually travel."

" That's their ultimate dream -- to thank. Product. To their dream."

" Yeah I think about what I liked but right now -- Dan if you live in New Hampshire and you have a transponder from the New Hampshire turnpike authority."

" That that they had this reciprocity bears have to go through how fast plane with easy path he can charge on your bill. And I would imagine any system that they put in place would have that same type of reciprocity. So I wouldn't -- going to take some integration work to make that happens is they better be too expensive."

" For this state."

" Do not address out of state drivers to have transponders because."

" The cost these snapped the picture it actually build a person via mail."

" Might be prohibited of this whole process going."

" And -- know it's gonna cost a lot more about 25 to do that. Doesn't get it look at that erupted in not in the system crusher -- set now that's a pretty big that's a pretty big --"

" Yeah okay this project you spent 230 million or fifteen even fifty million. Thanks for the call -- next with how we card merry taught at a Republican candidate for state -- go ahead Jenny."

" You know make -- model and -- CPI might teacher -- lobbyists. Anyway Warren told put up to repair the highway when they went down they would vote is taken down music now is that correct. That's correct."

" Pay off the blog shared the were used the word the word floated get a money to build a highway. -- down because that was the play. I think you've been around long enough -- to know the -- question they would do what I had to be people who went out and got real jobs who like being non toll collectors."

" And and they had it out the outlet that there roadway wasn't in the state of good repair. -- and that they -- we could say no I'm not going to accept."

" That was of course totally bogus --"

" And so what they do is they don't they they don't maintain it to level that it should be maintained good doesn't get."

" It that are good enough. I don't."

" They -- the -- more blogs so I -- the world's."

" Yeah so I think all right hang out how right yes and I never grouchy shackled I had the greatest."

" That Mary had no knowledge dead -- you could order the teacher will give away some as we go along but I'm like give away any more tonight thanks for the call. Chris your next with how we car and Americana go ahead --"

" Now I'm gimmickry. That would corroborate inept that our -- bid for Patrick air out of these calls upon. The I think I I want to pick up whatever the question now if you classic the opt out trick -- quick trip and -- her reelection he talked -- treatment act. And then you. They said -- look -- it out act. I'll bet -- well patrolled you know they're. All -- all what do I eat I. Old. -- It is hot hot blocked account at all I think that it equitable her forever why do we know any outstanding. Obligation art any art are of course and."

" And that there's about 2.2 billion. In outstanding debt on the turnpike -- you don't want when he. So what train at a 140 million in debt west of 128 basic 2.2 billion. Went to play when that's a result of the Big Dig debt that is that big nut to crack."

" Yeah thanks for the call Chris Chad your next with Howie Carr and -- caught -- and Republican candidate for auditor former member of the turnpike board go ahead --"

" Do that we are now oriented area -- you -- today that it can't. -- I think C following it sort of vista's. Neck that's -- if if they can pop of the ship. They can put -- inspection sticker somebody is gonna come up. Within it he chip. To exercise. And a respectful thing that that's critical also -- Would you think about that."

" Well that certainly did the major problems with technology with the it. I mean I think that's what technology can say is spared but to actually do that now I'm sure there's some some waste off senator for -- people to get around it. But done the."

" I I can't see this happening at least the -- paying for -- five to ten years it's a long way out."

" But there are a lot of people a lot of very smart people."

" They're trying to make it happen so. It's meant keeping an eye on it and you know."

" Charlie it it it didn't fit this system people finally get around the system."

" Thanks for the call -- ought to know your next with how we car and -- caught the go ahead auto."

" I'll marry hello how -- album. Has anybody ever considered. What the polls. Do you make open up one pulp will let all private citizen goes through but only charge commercial vehicles and get exactly that way you want it that way. Like if you want 87 in New York is one of the dogs they that they do that. You can you open up one side of it ended up commercial vehicle have to pay the --"

" And replicate the other -- he did that get -- quick fact is that. You don't want impede. The economic action this development ever region that he just."

" Just stick it to commerce. Then he had the region itself suffered that that can't interpret job if you make it too expensive to work in this state for businesses. And the individual -- to go to."

" Then auto you now you have a situation like you have last week when the attorney general charged three limo companies with trying to beat the higher commercial Colson by registering the cars is private vehicles. You know the -- a lot of fraud going on."

" Yeah but I like what I'm bicker about I drive a tractor trailer how to act and what up -- it -- tax respect and that's all that bad companies play. If given tactic incentives or somethin'. They keep big dollar and just when you don't lose as many -- they're happy ending they're broken government attack beat."

" All these tax incentives what do we just are cut taxes on what the what Republicans in congress on this kind of stuff too many tax credit to."

" How to -- all of us get it back in taxes that he has just an administrative costs that have -- just to make that happen. But eight I don't think it'll be shared a calmer than to put the burden on on commercial traffic just wouldn't be right because that has much longer term ramifications of doing."

" And your you know the thing about these of these polls to as a you know if you if you have these open road -- and if you order -- would expand. The you have were these bottlenecks as people tried to get around where the pole where the open road tolls were right. When you already have this situation and it knew where people we have big talks. During rush hour trying to beat that calls its it's such a -- Mary."

" I can cut down that tall -- in West Newton. And then people are trying are using that hasn't -- coming around through the neighborhood. To avoid being told that 1280. Yeah about live longer I know I -- was doing that. The people that live along they are of our late because it is really all the traffic."

" I don't blame them. You know not everybody has a nice silent car like me some people have big eighteen -- very caught that thanks for being -- we really appreciated and -- argue more about your campaign in the days ahead the weeks ahead okay."

" Great thanks that's very caught in a Republican candidate for state -- world that we come back will be joined by Charlie Baker the Republican candidate for governor a -- car. Attention to all Americans overwhelmed with 10000 dollars or more in credit card debt due to the economic crisis a bailout program has now been established."