Comments on: Transportation Reform Enacted

By: Will Brownsberger

Will Brownsberger — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:14:54 +0000

Yup. And there is similar language in the Massachusetts Constitution. Basically, the courts have read this language to mean that you can’t take away vested pension rights — those are inviolable promises. But you can modify pension terms for people who haven’t been employees long enough to vest and you can modify health care benefits at any time — those aren’t seen by the courts as promised.

The T employees are not alone: We also just voted away a number of pension benefits that were available to politicians (including ourselves). Had to be done. We can’t afford the benefits and many of them were excessive.

By: JoeAndrews

JoeAndrews — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:16:19 +0000

“Changing deals” ?? “Promises” ??? Try this : U.S. Constitution – Article 1 Section 10: No state shall enter into any Law Impairing the Obligations of Contracts.

By: Will Brownsberger

Will Brownsberger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:44:54 +0000

Fair point! That’s the tough thing about these necessary pension/benefit changes — they do involve changing deals. I agree: that’s not something one wants to have to do. But we do have to. Things have gotten out of line in a number of ways.

By: JoeAndrews

JoeAndrews — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:46:51 +0000

I am a MBTA employee. You stated : ” The constitution limits our ability to break pension promises to employees. The constitution is not so strict as to health care ” . Excuse me?? You don’t believe in keeping promises ?? What church do YOU belong to ??

By: Will Brownsberger » Voting for the FY2010 Budget

Will Brownsberger » Voting for the FY2010 Budget — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:23:30 +0000

[...] have in fact passed substantial reforms of the pension and transportation systems which are now on the Governor’s desk. Ethics reforms (which are not cost-saving) are [...]

By: Subdharmabum2001

Subdharmabum2001 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:21:05 +0000

Will I appreciate the efforts that you and others are taking but any increase of taxes is a bad thing in my book. I’m sure the business owners along the N.H. borders are quite happy with this, NOT. Take a ride along some of the areas north of the border and see the business that they are doing from more and more people from our state. This will only add to that.

Just one man’s opinion but we need less taxes and not more. Look what has happened to California due to their oppressive taxation. I for one am sick and tired of the body politic looking for more and more ways to part me from my money.

Jim

By: YuvalShavit

YuvalShavit — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:03:28 +0000

This looks like a very good step toward getting things under control. I feel for those union members who long for the economy of decades past, but we’re long overdue for some reining in of their benefits — they’ve been gone in most private sectors for ages, and they just don’t apply to today’s global economy.

I love Boston, but as a 20-some looking at my “10 year plan,” something must be done about the public transportation system, and quickly, or it’s going to get harder and harder to justify staying in the area.