Massachusetts Senate leaders have dealt a blow to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan to overhaul the MBTA.
Restructuring the MBTA is a key piece of the governor's agenda. He testified in front of the Legislature for an hour and half Monday, trying to persuade lawmakers to create a special board that would swoop in and take control of the MBTA.
One day later, Senate Transportation Chair Thomas McGee says that’s not going to happen.
“We as a Senate have made a decision to move away from the control board," McGee said. "The control board creates another layer of bureaucracy."
Baker also asked lawmakers to free the MBTA from the Pacheco law, which blocks the state from privatizing certain government functions. House Speaker Bob DeLeo agreed, but the Senate shot it down, siding with the unions.
The $38 billion plan announced on Tuesday by the Senate Ways and Means Committee would expand the board of the state Department of Transportation and give the governor more control over the board.
The Senate budget — scheduled for floor debate next week — would increase funding in several areas including early education and opiate abuse prevention and reducing homelessness.
The spending plan includes no new taxes and would not tap the state's so-called rainy day fund.
