AUGUSTA, Maine — Officials at the Maine Turnpike Authority on Tuesday presented to lawmakers on the Transportation Committee a 2013 budget with a 10.4 percent reduction in spending from the current year.
MTA Executive Director Peter Mills told the committee that reforms at the agency had achieved millions in current and long-term savings. The spending plan dropped from $41.8 million in 2012 to $37.5 million in 2013.
Mills told the legislative panel that the quasi-state agency booked $2.2 million in savings due to a decrease in employee salaries. Some of that savings was tied to reduced overtime expenditures for Maine State Police troopers who patrol the turnpike.
Also included in the savings is the elimination of outside lobbying services for the MTA.
Last year, the agency spent a considerable amount in outside lobbying, some of it preparing and testifying in front of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee. The panel was charged with reviewing an investigation by the Legislature’s watchdog agency, which found questionable spending practices at the MTA.
Those practices prompted lawmakers to adopt a bill reforming the MTA.
Mills also told lawmakers that the agency was refinancing its bond debt. That, he said, would create a projected savings of $13 million over the life of the bonds.
The Transportation Committee is scheduled to continue to work on the MTA budget Thursday.
Ok, less trooper coverage ? Or higher more troopers to cover the vacancies which led to a over
Time ? The projects for maintenance that have been put off again, I assume, are put off which will be “kicking the can down the road”, as some point they will have to be done ? Mmmm…… What happen to Mill’s statement that tolls would be needed to do the needed work ahead ?
Or…could that be exactly the amount that Violette stole from us, and that amount will now be back in the budget?
less snow = less accidents for police overtime, less plowing and sanding , less materials needed for ice clearing and less maintenance. there’s your savings..
We have had a number of chances to hire Peter Mills to be Governor of the State of Maine. If we had this is what we would have achieved – quiet, stoic leadership and the willingness and ability to cut spending in a common sense fashion.
Agreed. Peter Mills is a republican this moderate would support. The extremes of either party do not serve us well. Good job Mr. Mills.
Mr. Mills is the most rational, straightforward, and committed to public service of all the candidates who vied for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in ’10. I hope he tries again. He’s done an excellent job cleaning up the MTA.
Wow, looks like the trips to Vegas this year must be cancelled.
How much of the decrease was due simply to not having the director stealing cash left and right???
This is another example of our Governor appointing the right person for this job. It did not take many days for Lepage to get rid of that deadbeat Violette.
The Republican Plan!
Give all Motorist a shovel and a 44 Magnum!