DiMasi would drive consumers into ditch

RE "DIMASI backs gas tax hike over toll rise" (Page A1, Nov. 20): Gasoline tax increases? Is House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi serious?

Let users pay! Why should people in central and western Massachusetts, or those in the immediate Boston area, who never or infrequently use the Mass. Pike or tunnels pay for those who regularly use them? (I would be happy to pay $20 to use the Mass. Pike extension instead of a gasoline tax. Perhaps I should ask for a new tax to fund my monthly commuter rail pass?)

The worst thing government can do in an economic downturn is to reduce the disposable income of residents and give it to government. Our economy is driven primarily by consumer spending, so its recovery depends on increasing consumer spending. Taxes reduce consumers' ability to spend. A gasoline tax increase is not just unfair, it is just plain stupid.

J. H. Hill
Millbury