Milking Massport

It’s never enough that the Massachusetts Port Authority rather efficiently and effectively runs a world class airport. Unfortunately some also view the independent authority as a cash-cow, just ready for milking.

The newest scheme eyeing Massport cash comes from Rep. William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, who told the Boston Globe last week that he’d like to divert some of Massport’s parking revenue to pay for maintenance of the Callahan, Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels.

The move is timed to take advantage of Massport’s need to acquire state permits for two new Logan Airport garages that would add 5,000 parking spaces.

“If they’re asking for more parking, my argument is that Massport has to include in that plan recognition that there is a use burden . . . that they are creating,” Straus told the Globe.

His price? Well, he suggested $1 a car — and not as a surcharge but from the $35 a day fee the airport currently charges.

Writing in Commonwealth magazine, a former state transportation secretary, James Aloisi, called Straus’ proposal a “whopper of a bad idea.” We couldn’t agree more.

Of course, as Massport chief executive Tom Glynn has duly noted, the Federal Aviation Administration actually has a say in how airport revenues can be used, and it seems unlikely this would make the cut.

Besides, Massport already helps subsidize the Silver Line, which serves Logan, and Logan Express service from the burbs and Back Bay.

And with his historical perspective, Aloisi also reminds us that under legislation passed in 2009 Massport gave up the Tobin Bridge and its toll revenues and was required to operate (read subsidize) the money-losing Worcester airport. Some deal!

But so very typical of how business too often gets done in this state. And yes we know it’s August and lawmakers with too much time on their hands can come up with the dumbest schemes. This latest cash grab is one of them.