BOSTON — A push to exempt the MBTA from the state’s anti-privatization law is meeting with skepticism from top Senate lawmakers who say they aren’t convinced the law has contributed to the transit system’s troubles.

Democratic Senate President Stan Rosenberg said Thursday that the law has become a political lightning rod, but he said any decision to exempt the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from the law should be driven by data, not ideology.

The House Ways and Means Committee included a five-year reprieve for the MBTA from the so-called Pacheco Law in its proposed state budget. A special MBTA review panel named by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has also called for relief from the law.

Rosenberg said he hasn’t seen any reports showing how often the T has tried to use the law, which restricts the ability of government agencies to enter into private contracts for services that were previously provided by public employees.

Rosenberg said it’s still not clear that the Pacheco Law is at the root of the MBTA’s financial woes.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.