MASSterList: Why the Baker honeymoon soon will be over | Was the Big Dig worth it? | Senate priorities

Sponsored

Wednesday, December 30 2015

By George Donnelly (@geodonnelly) and Keith Regan

Let's talk about 2016: Fearless predictions In 2015, public transportation was elevated into a full-blown political issue. Almost no one could have predicted that such a thing was possible a year ago, and now every moving and nonmoving part of the T is news. Every budgetary foible. Every piece of new equipment. Its performance is assessed even after yesterday's 2-inch snowfall. While the second-class transportation system in this first-class city will continue to make big news, Massachusetts politics in 2016, in my humble opinion, is going to be about money, specifically, the lack of it. The Baker honeymoon will end, and as it's often the case in a marriage, it will stem from an argument about the family budget. There just isn't enough money around to feed the mighty maw of state government, and the Governor and his people are out of tricks to close the gap. Tough decisions on state aid, transportation, and health care will ultimately pit the liberal wing of the Democrats against the moderates and Baker. The cry for new revenue will grow louder and louder. And Gov. Baker will have to explain why the state, one of the most prosperous in the country, has to tighten its belt. A hopeful prediction: A mild winter (only one major blizzard) will provide a small service improvement victory for the T. But larger financial issues, including cutting costs and financing the Green Line extension, will haunt management. A stripped down proposal to march forward with the GLX will surface early in the year, and T will bite the bullet and push ahead with the project. Other (fearless) predictions from our readers: "I think the adult use legalization initiative will pass with flying colors in 2016. The highest approval of any state so far has been Oregon in 2014 with 56.11% of voters supporting legalization, and I predict Massachusetts will set the new record." - Sam Tracy "Sen. Bernie Sanders will do very well in the Massachusetts presidential primary on March 1. Sanders should win at least 15% of the vote in MA-1, MA-5 and MA-7 to win delegates to the DNC convention in Philly." - Matt Baron "The government of the Commonwealth realizes the horrific personal, political, and economic dangers of ignoring global warming. Along with other responsible, forward-thinking states, Massachusetts begins preparing for climate change in earnest by adequately funding and adopting well-known methods that benefit the economy while helping ensure continued quality of life and social justice." - Barbara Passero "The conversation on transportation reform will shift towards potential revenue from the millionaire's tax. That will not happen on education reform." - Liam Kerr Have a political prediction? Or disagree with these? Email me atgdonnelly@massterlist.com and we'll run your responses tomorrow.

Sponsored

SPONSORED We have seen violence at abortion clinics in Massachusetts, and we never want to see it again. Governor Baker can ensure that every possible federal resource is available should there ever be another attack on a clinic, but the time for him to act is now. Email Governor Baker and ask him to stand with women in the Commonwealth by asking the Department of Justice to investigate acts of violence against reproductive health care clinics as domestic terrorism. ***   Senate priorities include public records, cell phone driving, pay equity The Senate announced some top priorities for consideration in early 2016, including banning the use of cell phones while driving, a tougher public records law, and provisions to promote pay equity for women. More from Shira Schoenberg at MassLive here:http://bit.ly/1MG9DIK The Big Dig, 10 years after completion: Was it worth it? Former Globe reporter Anthony Flint takes readers down memory lane, and through complex tunnels, to revisit the vision, the building and the impact of the Big Dig 10 years after its completion. Even though we're still paying for it, big-time, here is part of the verdict: "Boston would probably be booming even without the Big Dig. But the project removed all doubt. Numerous reports have chronicled big jumps in property values. The Shawmut Peninsula is some of the most sought-after and desirable urban real estate in the country."http://bit.ly/1R7gAbX Limited hospital capacity led to opioid bill change A Senate leader involved in dropping the 72-hour hold provision in a redrafted opioid abuse prevention bill says the decision was driven by practical considerations concerning the capacity of hospitals to handle additional patients. "I'm not convinced there's a capacity to do that, the 72-hour hold," Sen. Jennifer Flanagan told the State House News Service's Matt Murphy. http://bit.ly/1mQL6Mg (pay wall) Witnessing the Trump phenomenon in person After sitting through a Donald Trump rally and hour-long speech, Globe columnist Scot Lehigh writes: "Here you found yourself thinking that his campaign has been a match made in political heaven: a marriage between a consummate egotist aching to be seen as a hero and a credulous crowd hungry for a savior." http://bit.ly/1mprm1K T chief speaks on Ghost Train, OT   As the snow fell yesterday, MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola answered questions on Herald radio about recent controversies involving the system. He said the T is looking into the contract provisions that allowed one employee to boost his pay to more than $300,000, thanks to extensive overtime hours, and said that new subway cars being built for the system will be equipped with cameras trained on drivers to help prevent situations such as the one that led to the driverless Ghost Train blowing through several stops earlier this month. http://bit.ly/1miazOA  City tried to defuse Teamsters/'Top Chef' dispute  Emails released this week show officials from the city of Boston worked to defuse the dispute between local Teamsters and the production crew from Top Chef, the Globe reports. An investigator has cleared city officials of any wrongdoing in the dispute that has led to the indictment of some Teamsters members, but a raft of emails show city officials working to preserve good relations with the Teamsters.  http://bit.ly/1mpoOAB  Brockton tries to attract visitors downtown with escort plan  The city of Brockton will try a novel approach to reassuring would-be visitors that it is safe to travel downtown by offering to escort them and from to their vehicles, the Enterprise reports. The proposal to create a team of Clean, Green and Safe Ambassadors - based on similar programs in other cities, including Boston - is part of a larger Downtown Action Strategy plan that will be presented to the City Council for approval.  http://bit.ly/1Sma962 More end-of-year charity donation ideas: The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network's website has a listing of its nonprofit members - 600-plus nonprofits across the state - that you can search by region, subsector, and keyword, and learn more about their efforts via their website.  You can view the list here.  Meadowscaping for Biodiversity is a hands-on, out-of-school-time environmental education program that encourages young people, their parents, teachers, and neighbors to become Citizen Scientists and Stewards of the Earth while they repurpose turf lawns into meadows that support the ecosystems essential for human life on Earth. http://www.meadowmaking.org Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education. At Zoo New England's Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, people of all ages can discover the incredible biodiversity of our planet and the critical role they play in ensuring it remains a healthy, thriving environment for generations to come. Learn more about the Zoos at www.zoonewengland.org and donate today. REMEMBER: To send your tips to me at gdonnelly@massterlist.com. Op-eds and other commentary are invited for publication on MASSterList. Subscribe now for free!

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

National headlines  Sen. Elizabeth Warren aiming to raise extra $50K before New Year's Day Clinton backers say Bill barbs will hurt Trump Pataki to end presidential campaign - The Boston Globe State headlines  With little snow and fewer riders, MBTA has mixed results during first winter test - The Boston Globe T boss weighs in on OT issue, 'ghost train' DraftKings, Illinois AG set for long court battle - The Boston Globe 10 years later, did the Big Dig deliver? - The Boston Globe Buses fail first snow test US Rep. Kennedy, wife announce birth of daughter Eleanor How The Mass. Casino Industry Stands As 2016 Begins Canceling the Green Line extension would be expensive, too Mass. Senate to consider public records reform, ban on using handheld cell phones while driving Local headlines  John George Jr. appeals to higher court New program would escort downtown Brockton visitors to their vehicles - News - The Enterprise, Brockton, MA - Brockton, MA Massachusetts Senate Sets Agenda For Early 2016 Councilor Brian McNamee remembered as 'a Quincy legend' Holliston: Pedestrian death reignites downtown traffic debate He's the first Muslim city councilor in Cambridge. He would rather talk about affordable housing. - The Boston Globe Group pitches decentralized sewage network - The Boston Globe Roxbury protest targets Tamir Rice decision, police brutality - The Boston Globe E-mails show effort by Boston, union, and TV officials to quell labor flap - The Boston Globe