The Bell "Tolls" for the Turnpike Authority

It was proposed months ago, but the House and Senate have now approved a bill that would eliminate the always-troubled Turnpike Authority. It's now up to Deval Patrick to pass it or not; given his previous stance on the issue, it seems likely that he will. Unions representing Pike employees are (obviously) opposed to the organization's elimination, as it would eliminate their cushy jobs and associated pensions. Trashing the Turnpike Authority seems like a potentially good move that could allow for greater standardization of transportation policy across the state. The utter lack of regard for unions in this case makes the drawn-out Globe drama all the more interesting. Is there something intrinsic about newspapers that make them seem worth saving? Or what if journalism were a government-funded endeavor? Would the Globe be losing even more than "$85 million" this year?