Gas Tax and Toll Increases in Massachusetts

By Jim on November 20th, 2008

I have to laugh at the media’s coverage of all of this.

DiMasi’s advocacy for the tax hike will put the highly controversial issue at the top of the agenda as lawmakers arrive for their new session in seven weeks. And it will reshape the battle over the large toll increases the Turnpike Authority wants to have in place by March. Adding to the issue’s potential volatility, the timing of the speaker’s proposal could coincide with a potentially deep economic recession.

The move was a startling about-face for the speaker. Just 10 days ago his spokesman said that DiMasi was opposed to any broad-based tax increases to help solve the state’s financial problems, including how to pay for billions in unmet highway and bridge costs, as well as huge Big Dig debts.

Pressure now falls squarely on Governor Deval Patrick to take a clearer stance on a proposal that, while not rejecting it outright, he has been loath to embrace. The governor remained noncommittal yesterday. His spokesman sought to highlight past administrations as being responsible for the state’s chronic transportation funding shortages.

It’s very clear that the politicians in Taxachusetts are working together to position a gas tax to pass as well as toll increases. It amuses me that the people living in Taxachusetts just never seem to catch or or maybe just don’t care. After all, any state would vote to keep an income tax by 70 to 30 percent really doesn’t have too much in the way of brains.

The people of Massachusetts brought all of this on themselves with their poor decision making. I hope they enjoy the increased tolls and increased gas taxes. I’m sure they’ll end up with a higher income tax at some point to pay for more “services” that they absolutely have to have. Heh, heh.