I attended the Hampden County Deputy Sheriffs Association Breakfast today (March 1st) where Governor Patrick spoke. He is well aware of the regional grievances that are often spoken about from residents of Western MA. He said that there are provisions in his proposal that will ensure that a significant portion of the gas tax will be spent in “the region it was collected”. I would anticipate the response from haysayers to be that it should all be spent in the region. However, I doubt that would be practical as Patrick, on the state level, is dealing with the mess he inherited (as Obama is doing on the Federal level).
He said – and I agree – that regional grievances should not have a place in policy discussions. “What if it occurred both ways”, he stated while pointing to the recent restructuring of debt for Springfield.
Some other points he discussed:
1) How much MA drivers pay in automobile repairs due to poor roads (I can’t recall the amount).
2) Of interest to the Springfield area, when referring to the rail system he stated (and I paraphrase), “How long have you waited for the reestablishment of the Hartford to Springfield connection?”
3) The amount of gas tax paid on average would amount to one a large cup of coffee per week.
We need a 21st century transportation system and states must balance their budgets. I support Governor Patrick’s Transportation and Economic Security Plan. You should also.
Do you know what he meant about “the Hartford to Springfield connection”? Right now you can certainly get a train from Hartford to Springfield or vice versa, as part of the service connecting Springfield to NYC. Did there used to be more trains connecting just those two places?
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p>Is “haysayers” a typo or a clever reference to rural WMass voters?
Connecticut is going to build commuter rail from Enfield to New Haven. It will be a different service than the Amtrak that runs up and down that corridor — not sure on the specifics, but the same service that runs from New Haven to NYC.
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p>This can be connected to Springfield for $30m plus some small operating subsidy (maybe $1m per year). From what I’ve read, the trains will have to go from Enfield to Springfield no matter what — just to turn around. They just won’t open the doors if Massachusetts doesn’t kick in the money.
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p>Here’s a link to a group that is in favor of this project:
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p>http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo…
“Is “haysayers” a typo or a clever reference to rural WMass voters?”
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p>I am not that clever. On the other hand I am a poor speller.
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p>NoPolitician answered your other question well. Is that is exactly what he meant? Your guess would be good as mine.
The meeting Michael went to seems to be part of the same PR offensive as this:
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p>http://www.boston.com/news/loc…
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p>where the Governor gets the press to follow him to a house call on a constituent in Springfield whose doubts are apparently now resolved. The “cup of coffee” characterization of the plan is there, and a reference to “regional transportation authorities and rail projects”.
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p>I followed NoPolitician’s link (thanks!) to the blog at:
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p>http://pvacr.blogspot.com/
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p>where it asserts that “commuter rail in Springfield” is tied to the gas tax as they are both in the new transport plan. The next local event is a legislative hearing on the plan at STCC on Wednesday at 4:00.
I have posted more information about the meetings mentioned on my website.
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p>Hope to see you there!
is that everyone is putting it this way. Forget the cup of coffee, just a couple of “Boxes of Joe” a day.