Patrick says he hasn't decided on gas tax hike

Gas tax…Toll Hike’s what next. If the economy is to ever recover people have to be able to drive to their jobs. Some having to take positions that are farther form their home then they would like. Stop placing more burdens on the worker. It is just bad fiscal policy. REMOVE ALL MASS TOLLS. It is the only fair thing to do.

I agree the workers in this country can not afford to pay higher tolls or higher gas prices. We have paid tolls on the mass pike for such a long time and in the end the money has been misused to pay for the big dig and what a mess that is.
If we are to survive in this climate we need good news at the pump and toll booths.

It'd be nice to see Deval initiate his reform agenda by laying off his neighbor to whom he gave a FAKE state job to the tune of 120K per year.....

Why are we paying for the state misusing funds. They bring private companies and executives to trial for such things what about these people who are appointed to public office. It is not the taxpayers fault that they didn't manage the funds appropriately. Why should we have the burden thrown back on us. Total negligence on the states part and we are the fools who will pay for it.

$4.00 gas/$150 oil caused this Economy fallout, with drastic consequences to Freight, Delivery, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Auto Industries, leading to a rapid rise in inflation to all of us idiots. Hey! That's a good idea. Now that gas and oil are once again stabilized at a lower rate, 15% of us are unemployed, our home values are plummeting, lets raise the gas tax.

The gas tax hasn't been raised in 20 years. The basic maintenance hasn't been done, and it shows. If you don't pay for 20 years, and don't even adjust for inflation, the price goes up.
At a time when the Federal government is putting billions into economic stimulus, it makes perfect sense to start spending money on infrastructure. This won't go away, and won't get better by ignoring it.
Aloisi is just being honest about the problem.

Cut everyone's salaries and benefits like in the real world---stop spending money where there isn't any!! I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!

I still remember the "temporary" income tax hike when Dukakis was Governor. We STILL haven't rolled back to the 5% income tax.

How is it that taxes go up when the economy is booming....and go up again when we're in a recession?

Businesses have to cut prices to customers, employees see their wages cut, but government is always there with their hand out, demanding more.

The Bloated Bureaucracy Beast is always hungry. It's time to put it on a diet.

I am saddened by the continued focus on raising taxes in this state. Devall Patrick promised change and all he has brought is higher taxes and little change. I am sorry I voted for him. As Pau31 indicates many must live many miles from their jobs and don't have access to public transportation. We need to start looking at the signficiant bureacreacy that has been built in this state and cut it. No one wants to look in the mirror and make the tough decision and actually cut back state gov't administration at a level that is required to give tax payers a break. Our roads are crumbling currently and what do we get for it? A proposed Tax increase? To do what? Where is the transparency?

Deval,

I applaud your proposal. It takes real courage to propose an unpopular move like raising the gas tax. No one likes to hear it, but we all have to learn to make sacrifices for the good of the country. Not too many other politicans are willing to tell us what we don't want to hear. Massachusetts will be stronger in 5 years with reduced debt and improved public transport because you did the right thing for this state.

TAX 'EM ALL DEVAL!

END PUBLIC PENSIONS!

We might be able to consider a 5-10 hike in the gas tax AFTER the governor cuts state employees by 15-20 percent and after all state cars for employees with the exception of the governor have been taken back and sold. The state's money problems originated in the state house and the cuts should take place there FIRST. I am sick of the jerks who cause the problem expecting the citizens to pay for mis-management, jobs for friends and general political stupidity. Remember to vote every one of them OUT at the nexxt election. We can't do any worse.

WHY DOES LIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS COST TO MUCH BECOUSE THE PEOPLE GIVE IN TO LIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS LIKE PAYING SO MUCH TO LIVE.FROM THE MT WASHINGTON VALLEY WERE LIVE FREE AND WORK.

Just think, if George Bush had raised the national gas tax by only one or two dollars on September 12, 2001 -- we would have a lot of money and OPEC would be sucking wind. Imagine -- political courage! Please, while gas is cheap, raise the gas tax! Thank you. Randy

PAY, PAY, PAY, THAT'S THE MASSACHUSETTS WAY!!!!

REPEAL THE STATE INCOME TAX AND THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!

We should pay for what we use - so, if you drive a car, you need to pay for the roads you drive on. If that means paying more tax on gas, so be it. Perhaps it will encourage more people to carpool and use public transportation. We are a society that is far too dependent on a one person-one car system that, in the end, doesn't work well for anyone.

It is great that we finally have a governor who is looking long term on fixing and investing in our state infrastructure, and paying for it by raising the gas tax is the fairest way (users pay). Romney, Swify and Celluci did nothing about our states infrastructure because they only wanted to get "GOV" on their resume but didnt want to do anything real. That is why it is crumbling.

News Item August 10, 2005: Bush signs 6 year $286.4 billion highway bill.
Legislation includes funding for 6,371 pet projects (including the “bridge to nowhere”) worth more than $24 billion, nearly nine percent of the total spending.

"If we want people working in America, we got to make sure our highways and roads are modern," Bush said. "We've got to bring up this transportation system into the 21st century."

Governor Patrick, Before you raise taxes please provide an accounting of the Massachusetts share of these funds, including the pet projects (bacon) brought home by our 100% Democrat Congressmen and Senators who represent us. Was there not enough to fill the pot holes on the Masspike?

Thankfully I live directly on the NH border...looks like ill be getting my gas there....(but not my tires).

Deval and the rest of the Democratic dominated state government;

When are you really going to try to honestly govern this state? The only thing I see is a minimal attemp to try to elimate the waste. i.e.
1. The elimination of police details? What a joke!!!
2. Where is the pension reform that is so desperately needed? State workers in their last 3 years of working are inflating their pensions by getting high paying jobs. i.e. Mr. Bulger, the many superintendents of schools, Police who make over 100K, 150K, 200K??? You really think we are ignorant???

So you kept the income tax because you were afraid they would raise the gas tax and the tolls to make up for it. Guess what? He is going to do it anyway. I hope the 70% of you who voted no on question 1 get in a line to pay YOUR NEW GAS TAX! The joke is on you! HA HA

Please... right thing for this state... all they care about is their pockets. Do you actually think that once the debt is paid off there will be any surplus? Even if there was, our politicians would quickly find a new spending program. It is never about the taxpayer - it's all about the politician's pockets and spending programs.

Deval, do us all a favor -- resign and go to Washington. Just get the hell out of of MA. You have no clue -- but then again neither do the 60% of the voting populace who elected you. Like the rest of the Democrats who run this state, you're great at spending other people's money and putting all your hacks and relatives on the public payroll....but sticking it to the working class that you claim to represent.

Tom Reilly would have been a far better governor, but people went for the glitz. Just like they're going for the glitz of the current President who's about to bankrupt the United States.

Is anyone still actually waiting for the property tax relief the Governor promised? What a farce.

Because the State, Govenor included Mis Handled the Big Dig and other projects we have to pay. Why dont we start be eliminating his driver, lunch budget, Car and other perc's before we tax people that did not screw up that project.

That is why it is called taxachusettes - Enough is enough get rid of the fat! Why does it always have to come off of the backs of the people working hard to just stay afloat.

Doing the right thing for this state is NOT further burdening people who can barely afford to just get by this winter. Have you looked outside and actually taken in how desperate most people are becoming? Food prices are up, gas prices are up, and jobs are down. People are losing their homes and can't afford to pay for heat this winter. We are in serious trouble and Deval Patrick's plan is to tax us more when most people can barely make ends meet. Other people on this board make more sense. The government needs to learn how to budget and cut back some of their excess fat and give that money back to the people. If Deval Patrick were really courageous, he would make the hard decisions that might anger his friends who have the bloated wallets and inflated state positions. If Massachusetts is going to survive, it's time for a change in how Mass spends our money.

Courage??? Are you kidding. Any idiot can use a tax increase to solve this problem. Stop building new schools that do not need to be replaced. Put the teachers on the state ins plan. Stop building million dollar walls on 128 and 95 . I heard yesterday that the T employees can retire after 20 yrs with full pension and medical. If this true ,it needs to be changed. Now you he wants to raise the gas tax to pay for the T . I don't think so.
A computer chip on your sticker? How much of our private information will on this this. . Patrick needs to go,.

I can stomach a gas tax hike but the idea to implant computer chips in our cars to tax the miles we drive is INSANE!
I envision a day when the State will want to implant chips in our bodies to tax the days we live. Big Brother here we come. The absolute end to privacy.

I do not understand why those of us who never use the Mass Pike or the Big Dig tunnels have to pay for them. If you work in Boston and use those roads then you can pay for them. Put tolls on 93, or even better reform the salaries and the pensions of those who work in those agencies. Have you seen what these people are paid to screw everything up, they keep arguing that they need these enormous salaries to attract the best....well look what the best got us, maybe we need to fund education more don't you think.

Deval, how about YOU take a hike, YOU ARE NO GOOD FOR THIS STATE. Go to Washington....

I must say that the best option out of the options would be to tolls on NH border.NH gets enough MASS $$. They come down here to work and they give mass made $ to their NH tolls. make them pay MASS tolls too. I say If all those people up there didnt work down here there would be more jobs for mass people! let their own state take care of them.

If the state wants me to pay more for taxes or tolls, then I want to be paid, by the state, for damages to my vehicle caused by potholes and overall poor road conditions.. But wait, its in the books, Ma. roads are pass at own risk, the state does not cover ANY damages !

Keep voting the way you vote, Massachusetts. You get what you deserve, as does the rest of the country. Corruption, greed, incompetence - someone has to finance it. Now give us your wallet and do as we say!

I read comments about the gas tax from readers of the Worcester Telegram, and maye 3 of 71 comments were NOT of the form "string up any losers who try to raise taxes". How refreshing to see 2 out of 10 here actually recognize that, as the cost of road maintenance goes up, somehow the amount raised to pay for same had best go up. 2 of 10! Just goes to show that the nuts go west.

Deval,
The only way I would support a gas tax is the elimitation of all toll booths. Then you would see the polls scrambling trying to save these hack jobs, also once again New Hampshire would be the winner.

More Taxes = Less Spending, Less Spending = More Taxes = Less Spending = More Taxes = Less Spending, Less Spending = More Taxes = Less Spending = More Taxes and so on.

Hey, try this..... DON"T WASTE OUR MONEY... DO YOUR JOB RIGHT!

cigeretts, Tires and beer in NH gas next, no wonder why the ol man wants to get a tool booth on the NH border, we are looseing a ton of tax $$ to NH, hahahahaha more to follow!!!! TAXachussetts here we go again!!!!!

"Give to ceaser what is ceasers and give to
God what is Gods"

MBTA doesn't need to give the employees raises every 6 months or so. I know a person who works for them, started at like $8.50 and in 30 days went up to like $16 and is now at like $25.. He's been there for like a year or so. Why should we bail them out? Even if we gave them what they needed to "fix" thier deficiet, they are still going to raise commuting costs.. Why can't the government help the "lower to middle class" working person rather than the rich?? State taxes, I assume, are supposed to be used for road repairs or other projeects, well thanks to the stupid WASTE OF MONEY big dig that really hasnt made a difference we are in such debt that I dont see MASS getting out anytime soon. No wonder people are migrating to New Hampshire to live and shop. Stupid government!!!
As for the gas tax ... what makes us think after this hike there isnt going to be another one? People can barely pay thier bills and medical expenses now they have to worry about gas going up yet again...

Use our own supply and forget forcing other countries to give it to us.

**Sorry if I am off topic but this is really upsetting**

WHY DON'T YOU RAISE TAXES ON FOOD, SODA, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO TO 3% MORE AND RAISE THE STATE TAX FROM 5% TO 7% AND RAISE THE ALL THE TOLLS ON THE MASS PIKE 5%. DON'T RAISE THE GAS TAX PEOPLE ARE HAVING A HARD ENOUGH TIME TRYING TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AS IT IS. IF YOU DO RAISE THE GAS TAX RAISE IT 5% AS THE OTHERS WILL TAKE UP THE SLACK.

Take from the poor, give to the rich? I understand we all drive on the roads of Massachusetts, but isn't that what excise tax is for? Yet the government will continue to raise taxes and create new taxes just to line their already overflowing pockets. 3 words, BOSTON TEA PARTY! Creating PAYING "volunteer" jobs last year proves Deval is uneducated - LOOK UP THE WORD VOLUNTEER IN THE DICTIONARY! Your budget is your budget; learn to stay within your means! One last thing; who's bright idea is it to put up WOOD braces to "catch" the crumbling concrete from the Big Dig? If the concrete can destroy steel of a car then it's certainly going to destroy the wooden braces! MORONS! Big Dig, BIGGER mistake! Remember folks to rid us of these Problems next election...

Yep, what's next... a debtor's prison????

That's how they'll get their slave labor to pay back taxes that never can be fully paid-off! Get ready for for the Mass (National) Guard to be called to protect the State Gov't from the backwash of all the p!ssed citizens!

Who's all for a "MASS" Exodus!!! Now we really know why the TRUE Patriots left England, but unfortunately the elitist, totalitarianistic ways of Gov't are BACK!