Patrick: State shouldn't rush to adopt gas tax hike

if it is such a "crummy time" to be asking people for increases in their expenses, why is he so comfortable socking it to the MetroWest commuters?

the citizens in mass are fed up with the high prices of gas that we have endured during the last couple of years. We should be able to enjoy a break from the high prices that now that the price of gas has come down. So please think about any way the state can get new revenue. We don't get a break or tax credit after all the years that we have been recycling the trash. So please give us a break!.

Bravo, most rational statement he has made yet as gov.

“It’s a crummy time to be asking people for increases in any broad-based tax,” Patrick said

But asking for a narrow based increase, that harshly penalizes people who don't use the big dig, is perfectly ok?

Why is Patrick so fixated on punishing the people of the North Shore? Makes one wonder if there is something he has against us.

“It’s a crummy time to be asking people for increases in any broad-based tax."
Yeah, governor. It's also a crummy time to screw residents living north and west of the city for a road they don't even use. Way to make the tough choice there.

OK, so whether we drive or take the T, we're gonna get slammed either way. First the T raises fares by double over 5 years, and now they raise parking rates (double that old rate in some places!) I though you wanted to give us an incentive to take the T!?! I think I'll drive. But oh wait, the tolls on the pike are gonna go up, plus now we're paying a gas tax too? When gas prices go back up (and they will!) we're doubly screwed. What's next? Raise impose meal taxes, raise the sales tax and income tax? Oh wait, my proerty taxes are going up too! Someone please tell me just what I can do to not get taxed? I am willing to pay my fair share but everything around me is getting raised except my salary.

We need to get rid of Di Masi. If we didn't have Di Masi we could have had casinos to help pay for the operation of the state. If we didn't have Di Masi we wouldn't be talking about increasing a tax on a fluctuating commodity. We need term limits for the speaker! Di Masi is clearly as corrupt as Finneran and as corrup as Wilkerson. GET RID OF HIM! I urge the House to take a vote of no confidence on Di Masi as soon as possible.

But he doubles the tolls with what seemed like a days notice. Great work

“And I think there is some agreement with me that just asking people to contribute more money to support the existing overlapping and defused bureaucracy, it’s really not a very compelling case.”

-- You are correct, therefore we shouldn't double the tolls, but increase the gas tax by 10 cents and eliminate the tolls and all the agencies that manage them. The proposed toll will increase the first 1/8 of a mile at Logan to over $13, that's a great way to welcome all of the visitors to Massachusetts.

Raise the gas tax and get finances in order so the MBTA and MassHighway can survive long term. Stop these massive increase like doubling tolls and doubling MBTA parking fees just so you can say you didn't raise taxes.

ummm, I can't believe I'm about to say this, but....
I agree with the Governor....

Now is the perfect time. With gas prices falling rapidly, the best way to keep people conserving is to keep the price up. I am not advocating a $1.00 gas tax, but as people have become use to paying over $3 a gallon, and with the recent price drop are paying $2.00, adding $.10 in taxes would not even be felt. You might say "I need that $1.50 extra I paid in taxes per fill-up", but if we don't do this now, the situation just gets worse and forcing the cost onto toll-payers is patently unfair.

But I guess it is ok to keep squeezing every dime out of drivers from the metrowest, many of which, never use the big dig roads on a daily basis.

what a complete joke patrick has become!

Let's see...at 25mpg (my car actually does better than that, but I'll use that figure as an example) and a $4.00 toll to go, say, 10 miles from 128 to Boston, that would be a gas tax of $10.00 per gallon. And the Governor feels that this sort of thing doesn't constitute a broad-based tax?

The problem with the gas tax hike is that everyone on the border will go to the neighboring state for gas. I live in Newburyport and will drive the 5 minutes to Seabrook, NH to get gas much cheaper. I go into Boston several times a year and will pay the increase for the convenience of having my vehicle. They should drop some tolls on 93 north and south of Boston to get everyone coming into the city. Sorry but that sacrifice that we all have to make is coming in the form of higher taxes and fees. Never in the history of economics has such a bad down turn been followed by tax relief.

What about Mass taxpayers who live over 100 miles from the T, the Big Dig and Logan Airport? Should we have to pay higher gas taxes to pay for a tunnel under Boston Harbor. The Big Dig hasn't helped us, we just have to pay for it.

The message the State is sending is they also don't know how and where to make spending cuts.

They're being asked to let a little air out of their Biosphere microeconomy (kept inflated with taxpayers' air pumped in through DOR) where everybody, themselves and the familiar faces around them, is employed with great salaries, retirement pensions, insurance benefits.

Governor Patrick was just quoted by a reporter on WBZ News saying that there is no time for debate, the state needs the toll increase now. This is absolutely ridiculous. This blatant disregard and lack of concern for the citizens of Massachusetts must stop now. Please visit www.stopthepikehike.org and let your voice be heard!

We have been paying high prices on gas for quite some time and, I hate to say it, got used to expecting it to stay high. I think we should take advantage of the huge drop in gas prices. We should immediately add a 10 cent gas tax, allocate it only for turnpike debt reduction and require it to be approved every two months. The moment someone tries to divert the funds, it no longer gets approved for the next two months. If the gas prices begin to take a big jump up again, it no longer gets approved. If enough is collected to pay the debt (doubtful), it no longer gets approved and we do away with the turnpike authority and tolls altogether.

With prices having dropped so much in such a short time, we should be able to afford this big very short term tax and the debt would be spread out over all those filling up their tanks including trucks that just pass through massachusetts.

To the Genius that talked about the high gas prices in MA, I suggest you google prices around the country. Ours are some of the lowest in the nation.

I think it is time Western Mass seriously consider forming our own State. We all know DeMasi is caving into the "Bostonites" and sticking it to the people whom will most likely never (or infrequently) use the Big Mistake.. er....Dig.

It is time to resurrect Question 1.... this is the only way in the Short term at least

The gas tax is a far better idea than raising tolls. Compared to most everyone else in the world, Americans have cruised blithey down the highway chugging gas on the cheap. That's why Detroit is collapsing. The "Big 3" were never forced to build high-quality, truly efficient automobiles, and many Americans bought into their sales pitch that giant trucks and SUVs were the way to go...in luxury and style.
As a way to raise much-needed funds and perhaps force a bit more conservation out of a reluctant population, it is a smart and visionary move. As such, it will probably never happen.

hey, you are the same libtards that pull the D lever every election to get the food pellet.

look around you, kerry, kennedy, mumbles, deVille, corrupt cops, firemen, legislature, courts, you name it.

Governor Patrick was just quoted by a reporter on WBZ News saying that there is no time for debate, the state needs the toll increase now. This is absolutely ridiculous. This blatant disregard and lack of concern for the citizens of Massachusetts must stop now. Please visit www.stopthepikehike.org and let your voice be heard!

People are still neglecting that we lose a good chunk of toll money collected to due to overhead (ie. paying toll collectors and system costs). If I recall correctly, almost 30% of the money collected is wasted. In comparison, the gas tax has collection overhead of less than 1%.

If you're for removing government waste, you should be in favor of removing the tolls completely and raising the gas tax.

This is not the way to raise money for THE BIG DEBT. There are those of us who think the fares on the Pike are a bargain. WE live in central Mass and travel the Pike more often West than East. Our cars are a Honda Accord and an old (8 Years) Toyota which both achieve a bit over 30 mpg (not much city driving). Thus, an increase in the price of gas is an everyday consideration, but an increase in tolls is about a weekly concern. Please consider other alternatives to a increase in gas tax.

I agree that the overlapping bureaucracy needs to be reformed. However, the toll road option is not good nor is it rational.

Think about it! Cars, moving at a snail's pace, try to cut one another off as they dig in their pockets for change, and frustrate all involved. Their cars, burning precious fuel, are spewing pollution into the air. What a dumb idea, when the alternative is not only more equitable, but does the right thing for the environment.

Bring on the gas tax...it has at least five benefits (I am sure that you can think of others)

1. It gets rid of the cost for toll gate workers
2. It makes life simpler....one does not even have to worry about getting and replacing fast lane transponders
3. It lets everyone pay and has the benefit of encouraging idiots to get rid of gas guzzling cars.
4. It lets us get to work faster
5. It helps reduce air pollution

I would like the governor to implement part of the proposal and eliminate the Pike authority and then get rid of the toll booths.

Oh yeah, #8! Let's have more casinos! That's the ticket! That's all we need to save our economy, more ways to throw money down the toilet! I, for one, think Di Masi deserves a pat on the back for that one, actually.

As a North Shore resident who already supports the Big Dig with a sizable daily toll as I drive my 12 miles in to work at one of the major hospitals, I am seriously angry that they would even consider adding to my debt burden. And I couldn't agree more with the MBTA complaints. Not to mention you can't even stand on the Green Line trains during rush hour.. you're lucky to get in, period. Can we see something for our money please?

The citizens of MA did send a resounding message to the state house in Nov.

WE DON'T MIND ALL THE TAXES.
LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP.

I'm sure the fine residents will gladly pay their fair share.

The issue here is taxes as he said.... Much like the British, Patrick thinks that it is okay to tax a few people without representation. You can call it a Toll all you want, but it still a tax; and a tax increase on only a small part of the population of Massachusetts. A gas tax increase of only 5 cents or less would probably equat to the huge toll (tax ) hike announced last week for a select few residents of massachusetts. Why not pass it on to those who actually use the roads in an around boston in some more equal fashion.

I agree with Rhavas..it is the "perfect time".
Another 20 cents a gallon wouldn't be a big deal, and it would spread out the cost of the Big Dig, so it's not just subsidized by Pike and Tunnel users.

Here's a simple solution, you work in Boston, thus using the highway system, rail system or mta, you pay a tax similar to a city tax used in New York or other major towns. In this way ALL comuters who use the roads and services of the metro area contribute towards the upkeep. Don't put the burden on ALL the citizens in the state, many of whom never go near Boston or work in Boston. I, for one, live outside of town and don't use or need any of the services within Boston, so why should I have to support that. My state income tax and sales tax already support the necessary services of this state and my town.

There is nothing wrong with a gas tax hike in this state. Such a thing discourages driver's to use unneccessary gas and possibly utilize other more sustainable forms of transportation, i.e. bicycle, buses, MBTA etc for short trips. The revenue from an increase in gas tax HAS to go to state highway improvements, which is a good thing for this states depleted infrastructure, not to mention a bunch of jobs that could are created by even the smallest of new highway projects. Massachusetts ranks 24th in the nation for their gas tax at 21 cents per gallon; the current tax on cigarettes is $1.51, which do you think puts more harmful pollutants into the air? If the gas tax is raised the burden will not be put all on those commuters from the Mass Pike to help bailout the state.

Let's stop sticking it to the North Shore and Metro west drivers. Either put up tolls on 93, or raise the gas tax. It's the only fair way to fund the state's highway needs.

You guys all had your chance two weeks ago but you decide to vote against question 1...by a huge margin..so please no closet "I didn't vote no"..it's BS

They waited until it failed and now you are going to get the double whammy...you all deserve it. When are you g to WAKE THE F UP and get these nitwits to stop constantly reaching into your pockets??

Oh, I know..education, DSS, Elderly services...blah blah blah...

What would have neen eliminated is all the waste, not essential services, but you bought it HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.

I drive in from the 93..no tolls, and no gas tax hike (not going to happen). Have fun paying $7 to go through the tunne-you deserve it.

Tell then to take down EVERY toll booth in the state- THEN, and only then, would I agree to gas tax hike!!!

SUCKERS!!!!!!!

How do we find out when and where the Mass Pike's so-called "public hearings" are being held?

Folks who are benefitting and using the tunnels should pay...plain and simple. Tolls make the most sense. There also needs to be some tolls on the south shore so that all points are sharing in this.

To Willie and everyone else, all of the information that you need about the "public hearings" can be found on www.stopthepikehike.org.

I support the gas tax. The reasons are many fold bigger cars that use more gas,cause more wear and tear on roads and create more pollution should be the ones to pay the most for the roads. Every day I drive into town I see SUVs with 1 person in it, huge pickups that have probably never anything more a 100 lbs toted in their beds that account for probably 45-50 % of the vehicles on the road. If you can't pay for your fashions and passions then it's your problem not mine. Secondly it's a usage tax if you cut back on your gas consumption then you don't have to pay so much As for the morons saying they voted no on quetion 1 your just too stupid to even try to explain any financial concept.

It didn't take long after the election for Gov. Patrick, the Mass Turnpike Authority and crooked Sal DiMasi to raise tolls and taxes. Somehow, they have taken the defeat of Question 1 as a mandate to raise more cash to fuel our bloated government. DiMasi says that the options are raising tolls and/or raising the gas tax at a time when many people in this state are having trouble keeping their homes and putting food on their tables. He skipped past a third option - and it's one they should do - CUT SPENDING!!!!
Companies have cut spending. Colleges are now cutting spending. Residents are cutting spending. So should the government.
Gas price will rise again - count on it. Residents, most of whom don't use the Mass Pike or even drive into Boston - are going to be asked to pay for the most bloated, watseful, mismanaged highway project in the country's history - and that's wrong.
I voted against Question 1 (and now regret doing it). And I haven't voted for a Republican for any office in years. But we need another party in this state. The Democrats clearly don't care about the citizens of this commonwealth. It's time they had some serious competition. One party rule doesn't work.
And if something like Question 1 appears again - I'll support it. Politicians believe that by acting now to pick more cash out of our pockets, we will forget about it in 2010. I won't forget.

Eliminate the turnpike and all the tolls. Raise the gas tax 9 cents a gallon. That is the solution. Adding tolls to other highways and creating lexus lanes for rich people to pay more so they can move faster than the rest of us while we are left with even more overcrowded regular roads are bad ideas. Most states do just fine with just the gas tax for highway department revenue and a single statewide department to maintain the roads and bridges. Eliminate the patronage highway once and for all.

I am sick and tired of the people who use these roads EVERY DAY complaining that it's not fair for them to have to pay higher tolls. You all wanted easier access into the city, your commutes reduced from 2 hours to 1. Well, guess what, you got it, now shut up and pay for it! Quit whining it's not fair. I'll tell you what's not fair. People in the western half of the state paying for your easier commute to make the "big bucks." We all know the payscale in Boston is far higher than any other area of the state. You want to work in Boston, make the big bucks? Then, guess what, you pay for your easier commute! You an afford it....

I like the people with the whimsical logic that since we were getting gouged at the pump for the last four years we shouldn’t mind paying a larger gas tax.

For those of you who think ‘we were able to afford’ being price gouged, anyone notice the economy of this country and Massachusetts in particular is in tatters. Skyrocketing energy prices are partly to blame for our current economic crisis. Just the fact that DiMasi would suggest raising the gas tax shows how out of touch with reality he is. People are still going to have problems heating their homes this year and Sal wants to raise the gas tax.

I’d prefer we eliminate social programs for illegals, pension double dippers. Then take an ax to the bloated state payroll and nonsensical programs like bilingual education before raising my taxes. And on a more personal note I’d like to see Sal start paying for his own meals, like every normal working person does instead of getting them catered by Davio’s on the taxpayers dime. And who exactly is paying for Murray to have an interior decorator do up her office for Christmas? I hope it’s not the taxpayer. Hopefully Wilkerson is the rock that is going to start the avalanche. It’s time to inject some honesty and reality into the Golden Dome.