Transportation chief weighs options on tax hike

Date: 1/20/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs, Managing Editor

CHICOPEE James Aloisi Jr., the new Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth, understands he has a tough assignment. Acknowledging the applause from local government and business leaders, he said with a wry smile, "In six months, you may not be applauding me."

He will be Gov. Deval Patrick's point man on the issues of whether or not to raise the state's gas tax to replace other diminishing revenues or to raise tolls on the turnpike. He is also being charged with the dismantling of the Turnpike Authority to create greater savings and accountability to the public.

He will also be in the forefront of determining whether or not to advocate for the Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) to receive funding from the state at the beginning of a fiscal year. The only transit authority that has such funding is the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) serving Boston.

Without revealing any details, he told Reminder Publications that whatever he decides, his proposal will be a "solution that will be comprehensive."

Aloisi attended a meet and greet at the offices of the Economic Development Corporation in Chicopee as the first stop of a tour around the state. State Rep. Joseph Wagner, chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, said the appearance was symbolic of his commitment to Western Massachusetts.

"I'm a kid from Boston, but I understand this is one state," Aloisi said.

According to the release from the governor's press office, Aloisi is a director at Goulston & Storrs law firm, a graduate of Boston College Law School and holds a Master in Liberal Arts (History) from Harvard University. He is no stranger to government service, having previously been Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office Transportation, Assistant Attorney General, Chief Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and General Counsel for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Most recently, he served on the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

As Secretary of Transportation, he will chair both the board of the MBTA and the Turnpike Authority.

"Jim brings a deep understanding of the challenges we face in reforming our transportation network. He will be a skilled and energetic advocate for our reform agenda," Patrick is quoted in the release.

Aloisi said he sees the reforms as to how the RTAs are funded not just a transportation issue, but as a move to "spark economic development." Aloisi said that Patrick listed five areas of reforms in his recent state of the state address, and that his job is to make those reforms happen.

He knows the economic status of the state won't make this easy.

"I look at the times and I've never seen anything like it," he said.

He asked his audience for their help in conveying their ideas and the region's needs. In that audience were West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson, State Sen. Gale Candaras and State Reps. Rosemary Sandlin, Angelo Puppolo and James Welch.

Aloisi said that he is a "big fan" of regional commuter rail and is interested in what Connecticut is proposing by linking Springfield to its new commuter rail system. Although he offered no commitment of support for that project, he did say the state is increasing its commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston and in the southeastern section of the state.

He said that he is "hoping to take a hard look at forward funding" for the RTAs. Currently, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and other RTAs don't receive their state funding until the end of a fiscal year. Aloisi hopes to build a consensus in the Legislature to bring the issue forward.

"The RTAs are on the top of my list," he added.

"My view of my job is there are plenty of people looking out for well-to-do guys. I'm looking to the working class guys," Aloisi said.