AUGUSTA, Maine — The Department of Transportation is facing three years of reduced revenues, and lawmakers believe they will have to make cuts deeper than outlined by Commissioner David Cole.
“I think we may have to go further in cuts than the department has outlined, and we may have to do it sooner,” Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, co-chairman of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, said in an interview. “We are looking at higher costs and less in revenues. It’s not a pretty picture.”
He said the new committee will need to adjust the DOT budget for this year, and it may want to go further and faster than DOT has proposed to Gov. John Baldacci.
Cole outlined a plan to reduce spending by $39 million in the two-year budget cycle that will meet the governor’s target of a 10 percent reduction in base spending. Under the proposal, DOT would eliminate 147 positions, of which 103 are vacant and 44 are filled jobs.
“We would meet the shortfall this year by keeping positions vacant,” Cole said in an interview. But, he acknowledged, that is only if revenues do not decrease further.
The Revenue Forecasting Committee, meeting last Friday, reprojected Highway Fund revenues down by $8.4 million for this year. While most of that, $4.4 million, was in fuel taxes, the panel also projected motor vehicle registration fees would drop by more than 15 percent, a loss of $3.1 million.
Because of the increase in the fuel taxes every year because of indexing, the panel is expecting those tax revenues to slightly improve over the next two years. They expect about a $1 million decrease over the two years.
Overall, mostly because of a continued decline in motor vehicle registration fees, they expect revenues to decrease by about $11 million over the two-year budget.
The committee also discussed meeting in February instead of waiting for the planned spring meeting to reassess revenues because of the volatility in the economy.
“I don’t think anyone thinks we are going to get a rebound in the next few months,” said Rep. Doug Thomas, R-Ripley, a member of the Transportation Committee. “I know people don’t want to hear it, but I think we need to look at more layoffs and do them sooner than next July.”
Mike Allen, research director for Maine Revenue Services, told members of the forecasting committee Friday that fuel taxes continue to lag, even as gasoline prices have dropped. He believes Mainers are looking at the uncertainty in the economy and limiting their travel and discretionary spending.
“I don’t think we will see that change anytime soon,” he said.
Thomas is a sharp critic of DOT administration and believes there are more administrative positions that can be cut and that the money saved can be used for road and bridge repair and replacement.
“We need to use the money we have for roads, not bureaucrats,” he said.
Cole defends his agency’s administrative costs and said the DOT has “a lot fewer” workers than it did two years ago.
“We will have even fewer if our proposals are accepted,” he said.
But even Democrats on the panel believe DOT will have to cut further. The “base” budget of the agency is determined by current law that will require the state’s General Fund to pick up a significantly larger portion of the cost of the state police. Under the law, the Highway Fund share of state police drops from 61 percent to 49 percent.
“It seems that that’s one of the assumptions, that whole shifting, which this committee is going to have to be very careful about depending on,” said Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, a member of the panel. “My sense is the General Fund will be looking to find any way they can to meet their budget needs.”
He and several other panel members doubt that with the state’s General Fund revenues down $140 million this year and projected to be below estimates by $331 million for the two-year budget cycle, the current law setting state police funding will stand.
“There are going to be a lot of demands competing with the needs of our transportation infrastructure,” Damon said.
He expressed hope that Congress will act on proposals in the new session to help the states with infrastructure needs. He said it is clear Maine will fall further behind in needed bridge and road repairs with slumping revenues.
Efforts to pass such help have stalled in this Congress. Democratic 2nd District Rep. Mike Michaud, a member of the House Transportation Committee, believes that the House would support a $25 billion plan his committee supported in September, but that it will not pass the Senate until the new Congress takes office.
Maine’s Republican senators support an infrastructure package with Susan Collins proposing a $50 billion package. Collins said construction jobs are a key to helping the economy recover from the recession, but agreed passage by this Congress is unlikely.
On 11/24/08 at 6:04 AM,
proudmainemom wrote:
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To save money... well lets start with the DOT in Pembroke, it can reduce by at least one... SHE does nothing... except go for this go for that... just ask. oh yes she goes home to do laundry... uses the DOT truck to shop... don't ask the Foreman he is her hubby... he wouldn't dare fire her.
On 11/24/08 at 7:15 AM,
safedman wrote:
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I see that in areas too. Stopped by one dot garage and in talking to the rep he mentioned they were burning two 275 gallon tanks of fuel per month. With only a small boiler I asked a few questions. it appears the new shop has a radient floor heating grid that no one bothered shut off for the summer. HELLO>>>>someone needs to take responsibility for such blatent Bull
On 11/24/08 at 7:16 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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MDOT should make more cuts-from-top! Since the median HOUSEHOLD income for Maine is just $42,801, and while the State of Maine likes to pay their democrat buddies WAY MORE than that, don't you think it's time for MAJOR CUTS?
For example, a quick payroll search on http://www.maineopengov.org
will reveal 1,171 pages of names/positions whom had $47,000+ in INDIVIDUAL compensation for 2007. BTW, each page has 20 names. The average Maine resident can only dream of an excessive salary and benefits like this. It's time for major cuts with the Baldacci kingdom. If you agree, please contact your legislators and demand some action.
On 11/24/08 at 7:30 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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End I-95 in Old Town. That would save a few bucks and inconvenience relatively few people.
On 11/24/08 at 7:31 AM,
Nummathanahake wrote:
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MDOT could save some money by not plowing roads until they actually have some snow cover. I see MDOT plow trucks chasing snowflakes on Rt. 178 in Eddington every year, sparks flying off the blades, back and forth all day and night (especially on weekends), just so someone can get some overtime pay. They even attempt to clean the breakdown lanes with nothing but a light dusting of snow anywhere in sight.
On 11/24/08 at 7:32 AM,
garysavard wrote:
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If any significant cuts are made at the DOT, or any other State department for that matter, it will only be because this recession is so severe that Augusta will not be able to tax their way out of the cuts, as has usually been the case. This just may be one of the upsides to the economy being in the crapper. Long overdue trimming of fat in state government.
On 11/24/08 at 8:13 AM,
southtexaskate wrote:
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thankyou for your concern for us who live "up north" Bangorian. did you know that fort kent is about 3-4 hours away from bangor, it is a rare treat to go to bangor to spend our money, which you probably love to get from us, we worry and pray untill we can get to 95 in sherman where the final part of the trip only takes a hour on good roads. it would be nice to extend the interstate further north so it doesnt take 6+ hours to get to portland. I"m sure you dot can plow your roads anytime they need to. our dot does the best they can up here but have been told they cant use the plow trucks from 10pm to about 4 am. some of us hard working people go to work or come home from work in the wee hours of the morning.
On 11/24/08 at 8:38 AM,
kylie00 wrote:
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Saturday, Route 6 from Topsfield to Lincoln you would have thought a major storm had hit, if you didn`t look for the snow banks. And 15 hrs later the road was the same. Either let them do the job right and if they forgot then refresher courses may be needed. But one thing is for sure, endangering the public safety is not the way to save money. On a good note Baileyville MDOT did a great job. Maybe the state is only allowing a mdot pit to go out in turns. But as long as we still have all the management getting their checks the hell with public safety
On 11/24/08 at 10:38 AM,
pcme2000 wrote:
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I know how DOT can get more money from motor vehicle registration fees. Actually have all police departments writing tickets for people that have not registrated there cars and trucks. All you have to do is drive down the road into parking lots and you can always see motor vehicle registrations that are expired by atleast 60 to 90 days. Fine them big and heavy maybe next time they will remeber to regiter on time.
On 11/24/08 at 1:02 PM,
southtexaskate wrote:
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pcme2000 it does seem that this would be a good plan, but some townships' town offices are open only 10 hours a week, and if you are an honest person making a living its hard to get there sometimes. but you are right over 60days is too long.
On 11/24/08 at 4:18 PM,
snowplowman wrote:
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We need more cuts in Augusta, that being those who sit behind a desk, not those who do the job! As for Nummatanahake, they are doing what they are told to do. They do there job the best they can with the stuff they have to work with. They are not out there for the money, they are out there for the public's safty !
On 11/24/08 at 5:29 PM,
COUNTYBOY wrote:
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How many DOT Workers does it take to replace a culvert at the end of a homeowner’s Driveway ??????
Answer : From what I observed at least 5 plus 2 truck drivers sitting in their trucks watching, a supervisor and the backhoe operator….. I also observed this same crew sitting on the homeowner's lawn after they were done admiring the job they had just finished. …. I wonder how long an independent contractor could stay in business using this many people? Don't get me wrong, I know how hard some of these guys work in the winter plowing roads sometimes 24 hours a day. However, times are tough all over and the DOT needs to act more like a business instead of a place for wasting taxpayer’s money.
On 11/24/08 at 6:04 PM,
snowhater wrote:
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To save In the DOT how about Supervisors bring their OWN transportation back and forth to work instead of driving State pickups back and forth to work like all the other workers have to bring their own. I also think if we had private contractors our roads wouldn't be as nice as they are now. There are is no complaints when you are all driving on a state highway that is maintained by the DOT. Yes we all complain on how bad the snow and bad weather makes our roads but the Maine DOT does what they are told. They don't want to be out there 32 +++ hours working on the roads that EVERYONE drives on and not have a break to go home. How about we all stay home when the roads are bad. Sometimes we don't have to be out when its snowing thats a personal choice. And how about we all SLOW DOWN when we see that is starting to snow or has been snowing. That way the DOT can just do their job. Some of you don't realize what it is like to work for the public or plow roads. You all need to just calm down. When you start cutting the jobs and pay and your roads are starting to suck I bet u will all be calling Augusta complaining that the state roads need attention. But don't bother because I am sure no one will be there to answer the phones because the roads are not plowed to get to work to answer your call. And then you will call the state garages and no one will answer there because the people that used to work there are out of a job and they are low on help having to plow much more road than before. So how about we all think about cutting the wrong jobs in this state.
On 11/24/08 at 6:30 PM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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In case you haven't noticed, the DOT has had a very cozy relationship with their buddies over at the union for way too long. No wonder why they waste so much money, their buddies at MSEA-SEIU Local 1989 seem to believe in the "slow down and take your time at work" mentality. We need a major overhaul of this very crooked system! For countless examples, just surf around at http://www.maineopengov.org
On 11/24/08 at 10:51 PM,
Lorilee wrote:
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Some towns have private contractors for snow removal, and their roads ARE nicer in the winter than the state roads!
On 11/25/08 at 6:23 AM,
harley07 wrote:
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I just witness on a road past Augusta there was salt being spread on the surface and the asphalt was wet but not icy. In my travel up to 201 the 95 was good to Waterville, After that the roads were icy. The 201 was a nightmare. Come on guys lets get with the program. Let manage this department.
On 11/25/08 at 4:46 PM,
nothappy wrote:
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i think that the state needs to look at d.h.h.s for cut not the dot for safey reasons. i know alot of people getting food stamps&fuel for nothen i have to work for what i get pay alot in taxes al they have to do is have kids and do drugs all day and get help from mine and your tax dollars let keep the working people working and get the lazy people off welfare
On 11/25/08 at 9:44 PM,
Cookie wrote:
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I would like to take a minute and tell "snowhater" that I agree with what they had to say about what it's like to work for the public and plow roads.The public
is always right no matter what happens. They complain that Maine DOT should do this or do that, but they don't know the whole story. If they want to
complain I think Maine DOT should call them everytime they are called out, all hours of the DAY or NIGHT, WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS to let them know their tax dollars are at work, after two or three calls at 2:00 AM I bet they would stop complaining about Maine DOT. Do you really think that those people that plow roads really enjoy being out on weekends and holidays when everyone else is home with their families, I bet they would like to be home too, or being called out at 1:00 AM in the morning and not getting back home until 30 hours later and then get called back out 5 hours later. I also think to many people are getting free help when they are able to get off their lazy butts and work to support their habits, like smoking and drinking. Why should a person getting welfare
live better and have better stuff than the average working person.
On 11/27/08 at 3:34 PM,
dotworker wrote:
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you know im a state employee and i want to tell all that think we dont do nothing or we stand around all the time that i have missed many holidays with my family and been stuck cleaning roads in a small cab of a truck with no sleep or shower or a hot meal so you can see your family and friends for about 30 to 40 hours a storm and i dont get a full night sleep at home because im on call all winter i cant plan on nothing with my family all winter so i guess if all you have to do is bitch about us i guess you are leaving everone else alone stop and think if you were in my position you would get tired of all the critsism all the time. ps dont judge what you dont know
On 11/28/08 at 7:11 AM,
sledge42 wrote:
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i just want to correct lorilee and countyboy.
as for the town with private contractors have cleaned better...............you said the magic word THE TOWN..........not major roads that lead in and out of that town or towns.........dont come say that they clean better when they have far less to clean then the state does so you can get out of that town and go shop elsewhere......you cant imagine what those guys do all night long cleaning the roads for the public.on call 24/7 all winter long so i think that they should take it easy in the summer some...........and as for countyboy.........the driveway culvert was changed or fixed for free for that persons house....and your still complaining?
reguardless what you may think about them you still get around ok in the winter dont you?
you want to see people sitting around go visit that paper mill in the county..............AND THEY MAKE WAY MORE MONEY AND SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING FOR THERE SHIFT............and i dont hear people complaining about that............thats because MDOT are more visible to the public and thats what people see..........or want to see
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