Baker: Too many Deval Patrick projects, too little dough

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_politics/2015/06/baker_too_many_deval_patrick_projects_too_little_dough

Baker: Too many Deval Patrick projects, too little dough
Matt Stout
June 12, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker revealed yesterday that the budget for roads, bridges and other infrastructure he inherited from the Patrick administration has more projects in the pipeline than the state can 
afford, raising new questions about which promises will become reality.

Baker, speaking at a New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday, labeled the problem yet another budget “deficit,” though the exact gap between the projected cost of road, bridge and building projects and the so-called capital bond cap is unclear.

In his final capital budget plan, former Gov. Deval Patrick projected this year’s $2.125 billion capital budget to jump to $2.25 billion in fiscal 2016, opening up $125 million to earmark for various projects.

Baker has not yet set next year’s cap, but he indicated he plans to roll back the 
fiscal 2016 number.