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Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Showing posts with label revenues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revenues. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2017
MassBudget: Budget Explainer: Transportation
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
MassBudget: A preview of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget challenges
Two transparency reforms would improve the process
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A Preview of the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Challenges - Table 1 |
Sunday, August 28, 2016
"the toll structure may not meet the Legislative intent to ensure equitable tolling"
"State Sen. Karen Spilka is taking the lead in questioning the rates and privacy of the Mass. Pike's new All Electronic Tolling System by sending a letter to state transportation officials.
The system is set to go live on Oct. 28.
In the letter sent to Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack Friday, the Ashland Democrat says many in Legislature worry about the impact to drivers based on recent news reports. The letter is signed by 10 other senators."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160826/ashland-state-senator-takes-aim-at-tolls
- The text of the letter from Senator Spilka:
Dear Secretary Pollack,
Based on a series of articles over the past week related to the transition to an All Electronic Tolling System (AETS) on the Western Turnpike, Metropolitan Highway System, and the Tobin Bridge, we are concerned about the impact of changes to the toll structure and the privacy rights of those traveling on Massachusetts roads.
In particular, we are surprised to read about proposed changes to the toll rates on the Western Turnpike. According to these articles, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation noted that some drivers will see increases while others will see decreases depending on where they enter and exit the turnpike. As you know, the Legislature has long advocated for toll equity and we are deeply concerned about the impact of any toll increases either overall or individually on our constituents. In fact, the 2013 transportation finance law includes language prohibiting revenue collected from toll increases from counting toward the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's own source revenue benchmarks unless an equitable system is established to place tolls on other non-tolled roads. As currently proposed, the toll structure may not meet the Legislative intent to ensure equitable tolling on the Western Turnpike and other roads.
In order to get a better understanding of the proposal, please provide a response to the following questions:
- What are the exact locations of the gantries as compared to the current toll plaza locations?
- How do the toll rates compare based on the location of each current toll plaza and each gantry, including differences based on having a Massachusetts-issued transponder, an out of state transponder, and no transponder (including processing fees)?
- Will there be a grace period to give travelers time to obtain E-ZPass transponders?
- What is the proposed amount of the assessment, in addition to the toll, for drivers who do not obtain a transponder?
- How will the new toll rates be conveyed to drivers? Will there be signs or other forms of notification posted at the gantries?
- What was the methodology used to determine the location of the gantries, the number of gantries, and the amount each toll proposed at each gantry compared to the current toll plazas?
- If the hearings result in significant feedback, will the timeline for the new toll structure be delayed or comments incorporated?
- Will all current toll plazas be taken down at the same time? What is the cost of tearing the toll plazas down?
- What is the expected cost of the early retirement incentive program for toll collectors?
- What is the expected savings of the AETS broken down by fiscal year?
- What is the expected toll revenue collected on the Western Turnpike under the AETS compared to the current toll revenue collected on the Western Turnpike?
- When will the bond obligations be paid in full? If, in January 2017, the bonds are fully paid how much is expected to be required on a fiscal year basis to deem the turnpike in good condition and repair?
- How much toll revenue was collected in fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016? How much of that toll revenue was used to pay the bond obligations and how much was used for maintenance and repair on the turnpike? Was there any surplus from the toll revenue on the turnpike in any of the previous 5 years?
- What region or district on 1-90 from the New York state border to mile marker 122.6 will face the greatest impact, either an increase or a decrease, as a result of the proposed changes to the toll structure?
- What specific driver and vehicle information be maintained?
- How long will driver and vehicle information be maintained?
- Will the data be maintained by a third party or by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation?
- Who will have access to the data collected by the gantries?
- How will gantry data collection differ from current data collection?
Following receipt of the above-referenced information, we request a meeting to discuss the proposal in detail. Thank you for your time and consideration in regard to this request. We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
Devices on new gantries above the Massachusetts Turnpike will soon collect tolls. For now, they’re capturing data on driving speeds.- ARAM BOGHOSIAN FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE |
A PDF copy of the letter including the ten signatures
Saturday, June 4, 2016
MassBudget: Conference Preview - Differences Between House & Senate Budgets for FY 2017
What's at stake in each budget area?
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MassBudget revenue comparison for FY 2017 |
Friday, November 22, 2013
Division of Local Services: City & Town - November 21st, 2013
The MA Dept of Revenue Division of Local Services publishes this newsletter. This issue has a good analysis of the motor vehicle excise tax that we all pay. It explains how the tax is calculated and that the current depreciation table perhaps should be revised. It also explains how the tax has been affected by the decline in auto purchases which is reflected in the average age of vehicles on the road growing from about 8 years to 10 years.
City & Town - November 21st, 2013
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November Municipal Calendar
1 - Taxpayer - Semi-Annual Tax Bill - Deadline for First Payment According to M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 57, this is the deadline for receipt of the first half semi-annual tax bills or the optional preliminary tax bills without interest, unless bills were mailed after October 1, in which case they are due 30 days after mailing. 1 - Taxpayer - Semi-Annual Tax Bills - Application Deadline for Property Tax Abatement According to M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 59, applications for abatements are due on the same date as the first actual tax installment for the year. 1 - Taxpayer - Quarterly Tax Bills Deadline for Paying 2nd Quarterly Tax Bill Without Interest 1 - Treasurer - Deadline for Payment of First Half of County Tax 15 - DESE - Notify Communities/Districts of Any Prior Year School Spending Deficiencies By this date, or within 30 days of a complete End of Year Report (see September 30), DESE notifies communities/districts in writing of any additional school spending requirements. 30 - Accountant - Submit Schedule A for Prior Fiscal Year This report is a statement of the revenues received, expenditures made and all other transactions related to the community's finances during the previous fiscal year. The Schedule A classifies revenues and expenditures into detailed categories that will provide information essential for an analysis of revenues and expenditures generated by various departments. This data, like other financial information reported to DOR, is entered into DOR's Municipal Data Bank; as such, the Department may provide time series, comparative and other types of analyses at the request of a city or town. This information is also sent to the US Census Bureau and eliminates a prior year federal reporting requirement. Failure to file by November 30th may result in withholding major distributions of state aid until the Schedule A is accepted by BOA. 30 - Selectmen/Mayor - Review Budgets Submitted by Department Heads This date will vary depending on dates of town meeting. 30 - Treasurer - Notification of monthly local aid distribution. Click www.mass.gov/treasury/cash-management to view distribution breakdown. To unsubscribe to City and Town and all other DLS Alerts, please click here. |
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