Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Assistant Minority Leader Says Same Old Story with Governor


Boston, MA – Assistant Minority Leader and Ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Transportation George N. Peterson, Jr. released the following statement today in reaction to Governor Patrick delaying the announcement of the details of his transportation package.

Governor Deval Patrick is the Commonwealth’s Chief Executive Officer and it is time he took charge. We are in the midst of one of the worst economic disasters since the Great Depression. While yes, I understand allocating funds from the stimulus package is a priority, so too is overhauling the state’s transportation system. Reforming the Commonwealth’s transportation system will minimize wasteful spending, needless bureaucracy and put more money back in taxpayers’ wallets.

We were promised a transportation package by the Patrick Administration more than 18 months ago. Meanwhile, Republican Lawmakers continue to propose innovative ideas that would get the ball rolling on real reform. Those proposals have continually been shot down by the Majority Party despite the need for an overhaul of the transportation system.