Massachusetts Toll Both Collectors Who are Better Paid Than District Attorneys

The Boston Herald reports on the wacky world of the "public sector":

The Patrick administration wants to slash the bloated payroll at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, a move aimed at convincing a skeptical public that the governor will cut costs before pushing for an unpopular toll hike, the Herald has learned.

Patrick aides would not discuss how many jobs will be cut, but in public statements and in briefing documents, the administration has made clear that it is aggressively searching for waste in the Turnpike’s $89 million annual payroll.

A financial presentation distributed Monday called for “potential reduction of current staff” as one way of cutting costs at the authority, which is battling to plug a $90 million financial hole due to increasing Big Dig costs and declining toll revenues.

Fat salaries at the Pike have long been a source of public outrage. The authority currently employs 60 “senior toll collectors” who are paid $59,000 a year, according to payroll records. That’s nearly double the pay of starting teachers and many assistant district attorneys in Massachusetts.

The Pike payroll also includes 27 employees pulling in $100,000 or more, with 19 others taking home $90,000-plus, according to the Herald’s online payroll report.

I'll bet you can guess which union has a bunch of politicians paid off.A truly great moment in government.