T bone of contention between Baker, McGee

LYNN – State Sen. Thomas M. McGee drew sharp distinctions between his views on fixing the state’s transit system and Gov. Charlie Baker’s ideas during a Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.McGee said he has made “tough choices” as a legislator in opposing Baker’s plan to overhaul the MBTA. He told chamber members the solution to the T’s problems does not simply involve legislators stepping out of Baker’s way.He thinks the MBTA should be part of a single-state transportation operation under the state transportation secretary’s authority. He said Baker’s plan to create a temporary MBTA control panel “is not the answer.”This isn’t a simple issue – put in a control panel and everything’s marvelous,” McGee said.Baker called for substantial MBTA reforms after the transit system broke down and periodically ground to a halt during the winter. He has built reform proposals on recommendations from a task force charged with studying the transit agency.McGee for several years has warned about a statewide – even national – lack of sufficient transportation spending to repair aging roads, bridges and transit systems.In addition to establishing an MBTA control panel, Baker wants to streamline the process for privatizing MBTA services and lift the statutory cap on fare hikes. McGee said pension and health care reforms pushed by legislators in 2009 and changes in how the MBTA pays salaries in 2013 set the stage for Baker to have direct authority over the MBTA general manager.”We have made it clear the governor has control,” McGee said.MBTA workers face criticisms concerning absenteeism, but McGee said top agency managers have the authority to make sure employees are doing their jobs. He said Baker can make sure MBTA management does its job.”The general manager can name a human resources team to look at every employee and see if they are taking advantage of the system. You’re the governor – it’s up to you to make sure the MBTA works properly,” McGee said.He told chamber members that questions and confusion swirl around the transit agency, including claims about $2.2 billion in unspent MBTA money.”It’s money they didn’t borrow. Think of it as a credit card with $10,000 you didn’t use. It’s not income. It’s money you didn’t borrow,” McGee said.He said financial oversight and spending problems related to the MBTA can be seen first-hand in the Market Street commuter garage.”They haven’t put a penny into maintaining it,” he said, calling the garage “not fit” for commuters to enter and park.MBTA spokesman Joseph Pesaturo said McGee is correct and said, “there has been a lack of investment in the parking facility.””The MBTA is making plans to engage the services of a design engineering firm to identify deficiencies that should be addressed,” said Pesaturo.Material from State House News Service was used in this report.