MASSterList: Rollout delay | Principal on leave | 'There is a vision'

MASSterList: Rollout delay | Principal on leave | 'There is a vision'

THIS FROM:

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook:TEFLON CHARLIE — AFT president calls for gun proposal opposition — POT’s mellow rollout

- "Chabot: Charlie Baker's overtime problem swells," by Hillary Chabot, Boston Herald: "The first-term Republican is facing a rash of swollen OT in key state agencies including the MBTA and the state police - areas already under scrutiny as Baker gears up for re-election. But a new trouble spot could be the Department of Transportation, where many Pike holdovers earn more than $100,000 in overtime."

TEFLON CHARLIE STRIKES AGAIN - A new Barr Foundation/MassINC poll has gauged Massachusetts voters' dissatisfaction with the state's transit situation, and they say it's gotten worse over the last five years. But voters aren't laying blame on Gov. Charlie Baker.

The statewide survey found 68 percent have a favorable view of Baker - and 57 support how he's dealt with local transportation systems. These same respondents said improving highways, roads, and bridges and public transportation should be among the state's top priorities.

That latest data point showing seemingly impossible-to-tarnish support is more good news for Baker's reelection campaign. He has pinned much of his political hopes on transit, despite Democrats' attempts to rake him over the failures of the system like last week's Red Line derailment.

The numbers also add credence to national Democrats' lack of interest in getting involved in the Baker race - consider Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo's praise for him at the NGA this weekend. When asked about Dem chances at defeating Baker this November, Raimondo (a Democrat) punted: "Charlie, I think, is very popular and is doing a good job," she said. "I've enjoyed working with him, and we have a good bipartisan, collaborative relationship."

T official: ‘There is a vision’   With transit mishaps occurring now at almost a daily rate, MBTA officials are urging patience, saying recent reforms will soon bear results, and a T board member is asserting: “We are building reliability in the system and we are improving the system and we are doing it every day ... I think it’s important for folks to understand, there is a vision.” The Herald’s Matt Stout has more. Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth magazine reports how Keolis, overseer of the T’s commuter rail system, does seem to be turning a corner in improving operations. In a separate piece, Mohl reports that T vice chairman Steven Poftak “wants to execute on projects in the pipeline before considering whether new revenues are needed.” To be clear: Poftak is not ruling out the need for new revenues, i.e. fare increases, just that they’re not a priority now. Boston Herald

No ticket, no rail ride   Speaking of mass transit, from SHNS’s Andy Metzger: “Commuter rail riders departing from South Station will need to show their tickets before boarding evening trains starting this spring under a program designed to boost revenues on the system. Ticket checks began at North Station last September but they were suspended in January due to winter weather, according to Keolis Commuter Services, which runs the commuter rail for the MBTA. The so-called Fare is Fair checks will start for the afternoon rush hour at Back Bay in March, and then at South Station in May." SHNS (pay wall)