Gov. Baker Plans Boost In State Subsidies For MBTA

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker plans to seek a nearly $65 million increase in state subsidies for the Boston area's beleaguered public transit system.

An administration spokesman says the funding boost to be included in the state budget the Republican governor sends to the Legislature on Wednesday will increase the total subsidy to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to $187 million.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo told reporters Tuesday he would be skeptical of additional funding until a complete review is done of the MBTA's recent weather-related breakdowns.

In an address to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, DeLeo called for steps to rein in runaway Medicaid costs. He said the budget for the state's Medicaid program has grown nearly 50 percent in the last five years and that such increases are unsustainable.

Massachusetts
Charlie Baker