The Request. A Precis.

This will be a short blog, likely not the most well organized as I just got off a tough shift in the salt mines.

Let’s get going.

So I got in touch with Executive Councilor Ray Burton and asked that he vote no on the upcoming state contract to study passenger rail from Boston up to Nashua and later Manchester and Concord.

“I’m leaning towards voting for this.” Burton said.

I tried to counter. And I’ll put it with no success. So I asked if this project is either viable or even affordable at some $450 million dollars against a backdrop of deficits and debt ceilings. He responded by talking about the Amtrak Downeaster and the process of how this train came to be including the substantial financial subsidies.

I then tried a different tactic. “How does this benefit District #1?” I asked. He answered that the ski areas might be able to send a bus to meet the train in Concord.

$450 Million Dollar Ski Trains.

I’ll share more of this conversation at a later time when I have more energy.

In the meantime please contact your Executive Councilor about this upcoming state contract vote.

Spending The Fools Gold.

The casinos in the commonwealth haven't even opened yet and the politicians are trying to spend the money. The Boston Globe is reporting today that the MBTA is $160 million in deficit with no relief in sight except an increase in taxes, fees and proposed use of casino gaming revenue to "bridge the gap." And this is from sources like Gov. Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino. If you notice they don't say anything like reducing spending or perhaps a needed restructuring of the MBTA to "save money."

Don't worry taxpayers this slops over into New Hampshire as well.

$160 Million MBTA Deficit. Higher taxes and fees. Mayor Lozeau supports bringing the trains to New Hampshire. Photo Credit: New Hampshire Union Leader.comThis is the same MBTA that is proposed as an operator of the trains running into Nashua me first pushed by their avid spending boosters which include: former Senator Peter Burling, Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and now Senator C. Jeanne Shaheen.

New Hampshire could end up as broke as the MBTA.