MTA budget cuts spending by 10%
A 2013 budget for the Maine Turnpike Authority shaves its spending 10.4% from the current year. Executive Director Peter Mills said the agency’s recent reforms have led to millions in savings.
The budget presented to the Legislature’s Transportation Committee includes $37.5 million in spending, a drop from $41.8 million this year, according to the Sun Journal. MTA first unveiled its preliminary $133 million 2013 budget last September. Mills told the committee a decrease in employee salaries, which includes reducing overtime for Maine State Police troopers who patrol the turnpike -- saved $2.2 million. In March 2011, the MTA canceled its contracts with third-party lobbyists, another source of savings. Last year, when Mills took over after longtime director Paul Violette resigned amid controversy, MTA also ceased charitable donations and canceled its annual employee recognition banquet, which cost up to $19,000, as other cost-saving moves. Mills told lawmakers the agency is also refinancing its bond debt, a move expected to save $13 million over the life of the bonds.
The Transportation Committee will continue work on the MTA budget later this week.
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