Healey's transpo trick: Tapping Train Daddy Eng
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Gov. Maura Healey's appointment of Phil Eng as the new interim state transportation secretary was more than just a move to place one of her most capable aides in charge of a troubled MassDOT. It was a deft act of political deflection.
Why it matters: Instead of focusing on the premature departure of Monica Tibbits-Nutt, whose tenure was controversial, all the press, T fans and Beacon Hill chatterers can talk about is the promotion of "Train Daddy" Eng.
Behind the scenes: Healey's political foes and moderates in the State House dragged Tibbits-Nutt after her comments about possible tolls at state borders and the blossoming scandal surrounding a contract for highway service plazas.
- Healey told reporters she didn't ask for Tibbits-Nutt's resignation.
Yes, but: The transpo secretary's exit was the perfect opportunity to shine a light on Eng, the former Long Island Rail Road executive who's become popular with Healey, legislative leaders and train commuters since taking over the T in 2023.
What's next: Eng has earned a reputation for getting T service back on track after years of mismanagement, but he's also known for blowing up the agency's budget to get there.
The bottom line: If Eng's interim tenure at MassDOT is just to, as they say, make the trains run on time, not much should change.
- But if that big spending-for-big fixes philosophy goes statewide, lawmakers are going to keep a closer eye on how Train Daddy uses tax dollars.