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September 27, 2011

MTA trims spending, jobs for 2013

By The Mainebiz News Staff

The Maine Turnpike Authority gave lawmakers a glimpse of its preliminary 2013 budget, which includes drastic cuts in travel spending.

In its proposed $133 million budget for 2013, MTA has allocated $44,015 for food and travel, a major drop from the $102,000 budgeted for this year and $89,650 spent in 2010, according to MaineToday Media. Much of the budget is earmarked to pay off loans for capital projects, including widening a southern section of the turnpike, and it also includes a drop in operating expenses as more travelers switch to the E-ZPass toll collection system. That decrease includes eliminating about 20 toll collector jobs. MTA's revenue fund, including all spending to keep the highway running, would drop more than 10% to $39.4 million. The Legislature will weigh in on MTA's 2013 budget early next year.

Members of the Legislature's Transportation Committee praised the authority and interim Executive Director Peter Mills for early presentation of the budget and increased transparency. Mills this spring replaced longtime director Paul Violette, who resigned amid controversy over the authority's lavish spending. The committee unanimously endorsed Mills' nomination to lead MTA permanently, and the Senate is expected to confirm that nomination today.

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