Friday, November 21, 2008
'Grant was initially furious ...'
Gov. Patrick seems to be pouting a lot these days over lawmakers and others allegedly getting ahead of themselves on the Pike/tolls/gas-tax issue. But Patrick should look at it differently: A.) He should take credit for starting the debate. B.) He should accept, and even eagerly anticipate, the debate heading off into territory he didn't envision. C.) He should position himself right now to claim credit for a possibly larger triumph than originally envisioned. Seriously, I'd suggest he read a history of the Battle of Missionary Hill (short version here) and how what started out as a mere probing action turned into an unanticipated full-scale victory, leaving Grant initially furious and later delighted that his original orders weren't closely followed. ...
P.S. - As for what Patrick's pouts tell us, I think it's now clear his original plan wasn't some grand scheme to nudge everyone toward a gas tax. He wanted -- and still wants -- both a toll hike AND possibly a gas tax hike. But he should adapt to the changing debate and get out in front of, instead of calling a halt to, what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: abolish all tolls (not some), abolish all (not some) of the Pike, raise the gas tax to pay off debts and fund new projects. Hey, the Feds are about to fork over a ton of dough next year for infrastructure improvements, if Obama gets his way (and he will). That windfall, unexpected only a few months ago, should be factored into today's thinking as well, as an additional way to meet the state's long-term needs.
Bottom line: There's a golden opportunity to really change and improve things. Will Patrick and Therese Murray rise to the occasion or settle for a variation of the unacceptable status quo?
P.S.P.S. -- As for privatizing toll roads, I normally support privatization efforts. But this isn't true privatization -- it's a way to sock Metrowest and other motorists with permanent tolls (and inevitable future toll increases) in exchange for a one-time cash infusion. It's a transfer of taxation powers, not a transfer of services provided. It would screw tollpayers forever.
P.S.P.S.P.S. -- As for the MBTA's debt, sometimes everything can't be tackled at once. I do know this: If tolls are kept as some sort of final grand Frankenstein compromise, then one could argue tollpayers would be subsidizing both other motorists and transit riders.
P.S.P.S.P.S.P.S. -- Here's Howie on the likelihood that all of the above will be ignored.
Gov. Patrick seems to be pouting a lot these days over lawmakers and others allegedly getting ahead of themselves on the Pike/tolls/gas-tax issue. But Patrick should look at it differently: A.) He should take credit for starting the debate. B.) He should accept, and even eagerly anticipate, the debate heading off into territory he didn't envision. C.) He should position himself right now to claim credit for a possibly larger triumph than originally envisioned. Seriously, I'd suggest he read a history of the Battle of Missionary Hill (short version here) and how what started out as a mere probing action turned into an unanticipated full-scale victory, leaving Grant initially furious and later delighted that his original orders weren't closely followed. ...
P.S. - As for what Patrick's pouts tell us, I think it's now clear his original plan wasn't some grand scheme to nudge everyone toward a gas tax. He wanted -- and still wants -- both a toll hike AND possibly a gas tax hike. But he should adapt to the changing debate and get out in front of, instead of calling a halt to, what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: abolish all tolls (not some), abolish all (not some) of the Pike, raise the gas tax to pay off debts and fund new projects. Hey, the Feds are about to fork over a ton of dough next year for infrastructure improvements, if Obama gets his way (and he will). That windfall, unexpected only a few months ago, should be factored into today's thinking as well, as an additional way to meet the state's long-term needs.
Bottom line: There's a golden opportunity to really change and improve things. Will Patrick and Therese Murray rise to the occasion or settle for a variation of the unacceptable status quo?
P.S.P.S. -- As for privatizing toll roads, I normally support privatization efforts. But this isn't true privatization -- it's a way to sock Metrowest and other motorists with permanent tolls (and inevitable future toll increases) in exchange for a one-time cash infusion. It's a transfer of taxation powers, not a transfer of services provided. It would screw tollpayers forever.
P.S.P.S.P.S. -- As for the MBTA's debt, sometimes everything can't be tackled at once. I do know this: If tolls are kept as some sort of final grand Frankenstein compromise, then one could argue tollpayers would be subsidizing both other motorists and transit riders.
P.S.P.S.P.S.P.S. -- Here's Howie on the likelihood that all of the above will be ignored.
