Thursday, March 12, 2009
Reform, revenue and pork, Massachusetts style
Charley and Joan go at it on the 'reform before revenue' issue. I'm with Joan -- and I'd extend the reform mantra well beyond the transportation arena now that lawmakers are hinting at raising other taxes in addition to the gas tax. A lot of these reforms -- especially eliminating the gross pension abuses -- could be done without new revenue, BTW. They could be done in good times. They could be done in so-so times. They could be done in bad times. But, strange, reform only comes to the forefront on Beacon Hill when they want new cash. ....
On other government matters: Massachusetts got its share of goodies in the omnibus federal pork bill, including millions for the JFK Library and Rose Kennedy Greenway. Notice the jobs-multiplier lingo John Kerry applies to the library work: “This shovel-ready project also will bring much-needed jobs to the area.” Over six years, that is -- all with borrowed money.
Charley and Joan go at it on the 'reform before revenue' issue. I'm with Joan -- and I'd extend the reform mantra well beyond the transportation arena now that lawmakers are hinting at raising other taxes in addition to the gas tax. A lot of these reforms -- especially eliminating the gross pension abuses -- could be done without new revenue, BTW. They could be done in good times. They could be done in so-so times. They could be done in bad times. But, strange, reform only comes to the forefront on Beacon Hill when they want new cash. ....
On other government matters: Massachusetts got its share of goodies in the omnibus federal pork bill, including millions for the JFK Library and Rose Kennedy Greenway. Notice the jobs-multiplier lingo John Kerry applies to the library work: “This shovel-ready project also will bring much-needed jobs to the area.” Over six years, that is -- all with borrowed money.
