Governor Patrick’s Deficit-Reduction Plan: Electronic Tolling

Governor Patrick recently unveiled his plans to possibly install electronic tolling on the Massachusetts Turnpike, however will the plan work? In a time of fiscal crisis and job losses mounting, one may wonder why the Governor is proposing electronic tolling that will essentially cut all toll workers on the Mass. Pike. However, the upsides to the plan seem to outweigh the downsides.

The Massachusetts driver faces countless days and hours spending time in traffic due to the toll-operator system in this state. Governor Patrick has suggested that the state switch from the toll-operator system to an electronic toll system. The system, according to NECN.com, would be a “completely cashless open road tolling system” that would operate with “arched overpasses that scan paper thin passes as drivers whiz underneath. For those without the pass, cameras would capture license plate numbers and charge users that way instead.” The more you drive, the more you pay. The new system would not slow down traffic, but would it slow down job growth?

Opponents to the electronic tolling system say that the Governor’s plan is contradictory to his job-focus promise of 2010. However, the implications of the plan would not drastically cut jobs and would also save the state money. Currently, according to NECN, there are “440 full and part-time toll takers,” however, the new electronic system would eliminate over 100 jobs. Is this worth it? In a time where Governor Patrick is urging the state to focus on jobs, it seems here, he is focused on cutting more than 100 of them. In reality, however, the cut would save Massachusetts millions of dollars.

The new electronic tolling system may cut jobs, however, it will save the state millions of dollars and help close our current deficit in this state. The deficit in Massachusetts continues to rise as tax revenues continue to fall and spending on things such as toll worker salaries continue to rise. Specifically, the Boston Globe reports that the state is “confronting an additional budget gap of as much as $1 billion this year,” as of March 2009. Currently, the average toll worker is making a killing in this state. The Boston Globe reports that toll collectors “make an average of $70,000 per year.” Estimates claim that the electronic tolling system, hand-in-hand with the toll worker cuts would save the state about $10 million per year.

The Governor’s proposal to cut state toll workers may seem contradictory to his emphasis on job creation in this state, however, Governor Patrick realizes that in order to save our state money and prepare for the future, tough decisions need to be made. As the state faces a projected $1 billion deficit this year, the new toll system would reduce that budget deficit to $9 million. The Governor’s proposal shows that in tough times, with the right technology, tough decisions have to be made to save the state money and lower the congestion on our state’s highway systems.