Governor talks transportation to Lowell citizens
First off, I don’t think there has been a time in recent history when a governor has made so many visits to Lowell to talk to the people. (I don’t remember Mitt Romney ever doing it.) Today, I was proud to see Governor Patrick here again, surrounded by questioning citizens amid our beautiful, historic Pollard Memorial Library. He had an agenda of course: Patrick was here to pitch his plan to reform the state’s transportation system and raise the gas tax by 19 cents. I list reform first because the Governor was quite clear that he would not support raising revenues for transportation without reform—specifically: the pension system, which he called “too rich for the times;” the six individual agencies that must be integrated into one to coordinate planning and implementation of statewide transportation strategies; and the funds to take steps toward reversing decades of “neglect and shortsighted decisions” that have got us into this mess.
As usual, I was struck by his sincerity, intelligence, and willingness to hear people out. And since it was Lowell, you can be sure there were many folks with opinions, ideas, and comments to share. (For a more thorough review, check LiL because Lynne was there with questions and a recording device, and I’m sure she’ll be posting too.) In answer to my question about why not do reform first, Patrick said reform is not enough to cover the debt as well as the needed repairs for roads and bridges. “Reform is first,” he said. “We have to do it. But we can’t do what we need to do with reform alone.” He also said that he was open to other ideas and varying combinations of his plan, adding he has “not dug in at 19 cents,” but that was the “most we could do within reason.” As tough as times are, I can’t help but feel hopeful with leadership that’s willing to take it to the people–that is one of the many blessings of a democratic government. Thank you Governor Patrick, and please visit Lowell again soon.