Mass Turnpike chiefs calling for legislators to cut pork
Posted Fri, 2008-02-01 19:44
For years the Massachusetts Turnpike has acquiesced in being used by legislators to distribute largess - maybe smalless - to communities along its length. A law going back to the 1990s requires the Turnpike to spend $750k/year "for the benefit of cities and towns located within the turnpike corridor."
$500k must be spent on the Turnpike west of MA128/I-95 and $250k east of it in the Boston suburbs. The AP reports that the money has gone for pedestrian walks, websites, tourist promotion, visitor bureaus, performing arts, and tourist branding campaigns.
Turnpike board member Mary Connaughton says the law should be repealed: "Tollpayer money should be used to maintain the roadway."
Executive director Alan LeBovidge agrees. he says the Turnpike has a heap of small unfunded projects: "We could use that money."
TOLLROADSnews 2008-02-01
$500k must be spent on the Turnpike west of MA128/I-95 and $250k east of it in the Boston suburbs. The AP reports that the money has gone for pedestrian walks, websites, tourist promotion, visitor bureaus, performing arts, and tourist branding campaigns.
Turnpike board member Mary Connaughton says the law should be repealed: "Tollpayer money should be used to maintain the roadway."
Executive director Alan LeBovidge agrees. he says the Turnpike has a heap of small unfunded projects: "We could use that money."
TOLLROADSnews 2008-02-01