MassFiscal Responds to MA’s ranking from 46 to 47; In Key Categories, MA slips to #49.

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance today made the following statement regarding the Reason Foundation’s ranking Massachusetts at #47 in their 25th annual highway report. This year, Massachusetts’ highway system ranks 47th in the nation in overall cost-effectiveness and condition, a decline of one spot from 2019. In 2019, Massachusetts ranked 46th, which itself was a decline from 44th in 2018.

In New England, the overall scores were; Maine (25), New Hampshire (29), Vermont (30), Connecticut (35), Rhode Island (46) and Massachusetts (47). The only worse-off states than Massachusetts were New Jersey (50), Alaska (49), and Delaware (48).

Massachusetts’ worst rankings are in its total “disbursements per mile (49)” and “administrative disbursements per mile (49).” These rankings indicate Massachusetts spends the 2nd highest amount per road mile on transportation costs, as well as the 2nd highest amount in the country on administrative costs per mile. Last year, those ranking for MA were at 48 in both categories, showing another decline. Below is a breakdown for how MA ranked compared to the other New England states in these two very important categories.

The Reason Foundation report takes on special significance as 11 states are expected to soon debate the merits of joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). In theory, TCI would decrease fuel consumption by drastically increasing fuel costs. Gas taxes are typically used for road repair and under the TCI scheme, gas tax collections would decrease, creating a significant void for states like MA, which has one of the highest spending rates of all states considering the TCI scheme.

“You cannot spend your way out of a spending problem, but that is exactly what Massachusetts is trying to do. The Governor and every lawmaker at the State House should read today’s report and realize that our state’s ‘Cadillac-style’ transportation bureaucracy doesn’t need another penny. It needs swift and comprehensive reform,” said Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. 

“Once again, compared with other New England states, Massachusetts spending on transportation costs cannot be explained away by big government politicians who always want more. While MA spends over $93,000 in administrative costs per state mile, Maine spends just below $3,000. It’s time State House leaders learn to live like the rest of the country, with a fiscally responsible budget grounded in reality,” concluded Craney.