Business leaders push for 25 cent gas tax hike

ANY increase in the gas tax or any other tax, tolls, fees, etc., should be 100% conditional upon NET spending cuts in employee wages, pensions, and other benefits. Otherwise, this will be an outrage!

Cut employee wages? What would be the benefit of doing that? Most state and municipal employees make well under the average wage as compared to the private sector. That would hardly stimulate the economy, now, would it.

The state currently finances its MHD employees on Bonds, this fix must be made to cut future interest costs. The Big Dig debt transfer is 6 cents of the plan this should added to the 19 cents for all operating within the 128/95 belt. Drop all Tolls west of 128. Keep the rest to dedicate to maintenance of complex urban transportation systems so that they are self funded.

Enough is enough...We keep giving and the state employees keep taking. No tax increases. Cut wasteful spenmidng by the state. We all see it everywhere.

Eleminate all those "bennies" !
Eleminate MTA
Elminate MASSPORT
Elimante police details
etc:
Wella 1

A pro business collection proposing "reforms" > I can only guess who is going to get the short end here... working people.

jayw58 - Yes, let's cut education funding. Because everyone already knows how to spell!

I am all for increasing the gas tax as long as it eliminates the tolls, the toll collectors, their supervisors, the middle management and of course the biggest hacks, the upper management. Think of all the people we would not need on the payroll if all of the toll booths are taken down. Less gas used for those waiting to thrown in their dollars.

We already collect a gas tax. How many new state workers do we need to increase the tax? zero.

I am completely against the "gps on your inspection sticker" plan. This would require a whole new bureaucracy to implement and enforce. Seems to me increasing the gas tax is the same as charging for miles driven, with the added bonus of those who want or need to drive bigger, heavier vehicles will pay more, since those cause more wear and tear on the roads.

And of course this gps on your inspection sticker is way too big brother for me...

Another great plan courtesy of the same group that brought you the Big Dig...

How about CUTTING some programs, huh? I for one am sick and tired of paying outrageous taxes here. I am only a 15 minute ride to R.I.. So go ahead and raise your criminal taxes and watch how many of us fill up out of state.

Was that press release supposed to be issued on April 1st as a joke?

Why not just make it $ 10.85 per gallon, a $ 50 monthly fee for each tire on your vehicle, and $ 125.00 per year for shoe leather usage, if you don't drive?

STOP SPENDING!

Do it Massachusetts, go ahead I dare you to do it. NH will reap the rewards of higher fuel sales on border towns. Do it!!!!!

Our current gas tax has already been going to fund transportation, road and bridge repairs. I think before we end up with the Highest Gas Tax in Nation, we need accountability as to where has all that money been going and why the current gas tax is not enough.

I don't understand the elimination of the few tolls on Western Mass Pike at the same time needing to increase tolls near Boston. If we need toll money, then leave the tolls as they are and keep the Western Mass tolls in place.

Only if tolls are eliminated on all toll highways.

I would support 25 cents if they got rid of every last toll in Massachusetts.

I went to the RMV in Wilmington and there was a guy who literally sat there and hit a button to give you your waiting ticket number. In Rhode Island, you walk up to the machine yourself and hit whether you need to be in the license line or the Registration line. This was just one example of the outright WASTE of taxpayer dollars. He is redundant labor who should be eliminated. There are THOUSANDS more like him who should be fired. These people have no function and waste taxpayer money. Sure they will be laid off, but you know what, go get a job that contributes to society. Their jobs shouldn't be a veiled Welfare/socialist/let's hire and empoly everyone strategy. Big Government Blows.

Wow, so-called "business leaders" are pushing for this? They are a disgrace to the rest of us both as taxpayers and so-called leaders. They've just gone ahead and marginalized themselves.

It's time to take a machete to the budget and slash spending (yes, shut down programs entirely); it's better than finding new, stupid ways to increase revenue (you know, taxes, fees, interest, penalties, and every other name under the sun) every 3-6 months.

MY plan for the increase to the current Gas Tax is 15 cents and is aimed SOLELY at eliminating the Mass Turnpike Authority, taking down all tolls except for the I80 and NY State exits. The Mass Turnpike will be merged with the State Highway Department and ALL DEBT will be paid down from this tax until it is ZERO. A public website will update this amount so we can count down the days/years until we can ROLL BACK this extra 15 cent per gallon tax.

There is SO MUCH useless overhead on the Turnpike (managerially, financially, operationally) that wiping it away we'll be able to SOLVE the gordinian knot that has been tied over the past 50 years.

Why do we need to generate $600 million in new revenue?

Has the state opened their books and shown us that they need $600 million in additional revenue?

No.

And until they do there should be no discussion of raising any tax.

Most state and municipal employees make slightly less than the average wage for the private sector because they have fantastic benefits, great hours, a retirement plan, great job security and, let's be honest, great work environments (that is a code for doing whatever they want and leaving at 4:30 on the dot).

If the 25 cents were used exclusively on transportation that would be fine, although not really fair to force suburbanites to pay for the city dwellers problems.

This is absolutely ridiculous--why do people who dont use the Pike have to suffer because the Transit Authority is broke--it is seriously an outrage to people like me who have no use for the pike--maybe if the increased tax was going to fix roads that I use I would consider it a plausible thing...however that is not the case so I and everyone else who does not use the Pike should not be affected...

To the governor, the politicians, and the group of 5 'business leaders' read my lips":
NO NEW TAXES!!!!!!!
If you need more money, then cut the wasteful spending and come up with some real reform. Many of us do not have access to public transportation so why should the bulk of this proposed tax subsidize transportation in the Boston area? It's just ludicrous.

25 cents makes more sense than 19, after years of neglect, we need to invest in getting people around MA more efficiently. While previous admins have spent money on tax incentives on a business by business basis, in effect paying some chosen ones to stay, this tax will be used to encourage all to stay and more to expand. How can businesses in Kendall Sq expand if no more cars can make it there, as one example. This is true in all the parts of the state that make money for the state. Make drivers finally pay their share of using the roads and highways with the most efficient system, a gas tax. For those that want less waste, gas tax is better than tolls.

I'm with the rest of the citizens of this state. Cut the state workers, we are tired
of the waste in state government and the lack of oversite in state projects.
They always want us to pick up the tab and they to nothing to correct the
problems. I'm sick of it!!!

Why dont we all just bend over because here we go again. This state is unreal. Let's pay for new drapes, new caddillac, remodel this and that, lets hire more friends and contributors to our slush funds, how about we just sign our paychecks over to the state, let all who are unemployed give their checks to the state, maybe our first born child also will that make it any better in this lousy state. I dont think so. Deval go join your brother in Washington your two are a pair.

Great, ask the CEOs - they don't pay for gas...please - I drive 37 miles to keep my job, pay for gas, and mileage on my vehicle, and now Devil wants to stick to me again...thanks jerk - Guess you don't have to do much driving - another $500 out of my pocket just to get to work and pay for my house which I do pay for on time, even though the value has gone down since we bought 4 years ago because everyone gets a house...and now get my tax $$ to subsidize their debt because you enabled their stupid decisions. That's why if you dont have 20% or make enough in a stable job - you are a "renter"!!! too late...just another name for elfare - Stimulus

Are you kidding me? Where are the cuts? The T wants to expand to Medford - how about we stop that? You don't expand when you don't have the money, people, it's that simple.

To all the know it alls out there; I work for the state. I'm 27 years old. Believe me, we don't make anywhere near as much as you think we do. I'm at a midlevel pay grade, and I still make less than $35k/yr.

But if you must know for sure, go to the Boston Herald. They put our salaries on their website. You'll see most of don't make that much.

why cant they live within their means it always more more more....enough is enough....

what part of recession do these morons not understand. mass pols believe they are recession proof and that we tax payers are just hiding our money from them.
we all have to do with less during this economic contraction.
instead of more taxes how about less government.

First of all, these are not " Business Leaders" in the strictess sense of the terminology. These groups have a vested interest in seeing the gas tax go up.

True business leaders would be against a gas tax increase because it would further take money away from the average consumer who is already reluctant to spend money.

We need a new Prop 2 1/2 type of ballot initiative. All tax increases must be accompanied by equal amount of spending cuts.

“We’ll never know the projects that were never built” because of a lack of infrastructure, said David Begelfer, CEO of NAIOP Massachusetts.

Thanks for the laugh, Dave.

On average, Massachusetts voters estimate that the state government wastes 41 cents out of every dollar in state taxes that they pay. Even voters who think the state is headed in the right direction feel that more than one-third of their tax dollars are being wasted.

There has yet to be a creative idea from the elected officials on Beacon Hill. The same old restructuring of offices every other administration has failed to complete. In this recession, it is the time for our elected officials to shine. If they continue on the same old path, the tax payers of Massachusetts will have their say at the Polls.

BTW, I have not seen a flicker of light from Beacon Hill based on the recent proposals.

Of course the "Business Leaders" are all for it, it doesn't hit their wallets like it does the working families trying to make ends meet as it is. None of these people have a clue as to how hard it is all ready!

The Commonwealth finally has some political and business leadership to solve the transportation fiasco. There is some wasteful spending, as there is with any organization - but the 'tax naysayers' should stop with the platitudes and contribute meaningful dialogue to a situation that needs resolution. Let's make the tax 25 cents, and contribue 2 cents of it to support for education in our towns and cities.

Just because they spend a 300 million does not meaqn the roads and bridges will be better and safer. Have you all forgot the Big Dig and the dangerous flooding tunnels?

I live 10 miles from NH and will be giving them ALL of my business......gas, groceries, taxable items.

I think all the CEO's on this board should work for minimum wage. Then we can take that money and spend it on transportation. I know it won't fix the overall issue that Mr Deval created but it will show these guys what's it's like to struggle when they aren't taking home their 6 figure salaries

Maybe these giys should cust their multi-million dollar salaries, stop claimimh FL as their residence, and bring their monies back from teh Swiss and Cayman banks before we talking about higher taxes in this state.

“The political stakes are high, but the leadership here is necessary,” said Paul Guzzi,

Unfortunately, not an ounce of brainpower in the lot!! Tunnels for the Silver Line, T ext. to Medford, rail service to New Bedford. Hell NO!!

Wow big surprise. The writer could have mentioned each of these organizations benefit from a gas increase:
GBCO: They represent companies accessible by public transportation, and obviously don't want people in greater Boston driving to outer suburbs for retail.
MTF: A group of big biz execs, obviously want the state to make up its deficits on the backs of taxpayers and not businesses.
ABC: A group made up of downtown business owners and public sector transportation officials. See GBCO...

REFORM FIRST! Then make your case for additional revenues. We have been told for years through several different administrations that there are hundreds of millions of dollars of savings to be had by consolidating, streamlining, and reforming out transportation system management. We are not stupid - show us the numbers. How many millions do we spend each year on toll collection? How many millions do we spend each year on separate HR/payroll/benefits systems for four separate transportation authorities? How much are we paying to allow state workers to retire in their 50's with sweetheart pensions? Give me full unfiltered access to all the real budget numbers and I will show you $600 million in savings with no reduction in transportation services and NO tax increase.

Do these number take into account all of the revenue that will be lost by all of the people that live near the NH border that will never buy another gallon of gas in Massachusetts again?

I got a idea, how about we put it a ballot and let the people vote on it? Also, how about the other 25,000 business owners tell what they think of raising the gas tax..Why now listen to the 5 selected "business leaders" on this topic??This a bag job or what??

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE GAS HIKE,BUT TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE INTERESTING,NONE OF IT CAN BE USED FOR TAX PURPOSES,BECAUSE WE NOW BIG BUSSINESS USES CREDIT CARDS AND THEN USES IT AS A TAX DEDUCTION,FOR THERE OWN PRIVATE USE.HERE IS A BETTER SOLUTION,NO CEO CAN RECIEVE ANY BONUSES IF COMPANY HAS NOT MADE MONEY FOR THE YEAR.

Lets just say that all the vehicles in Massachusetts are Toyota Carolla. Each person fills up twice a week, That would be an extra $286 dollars a year. Multiply that by the 5.4 million cars and trucks. That's $1.5 Billion a year. What the heck does the state need an additional 1.5 Billion dollars for? Are you telling me that Ma. needs 1.5 billion more to keeps the roads repaired? I hardly thinks so. Enough talk about any Gas Tax. It is not needed and an Outrage that it is even being discussed.

Yeah, it will generate $600 million worth of pork projects, most of which probably won't have anything to do transportation. No more tax increases until you start cutting!

Seems reasonable, until we find ourselves staring at $300 oil barrels in 2-3 years time. At which point, Patrick will increase the gas tax to $1.00+, just to keep pace with hyper-inflation.

Remind me again why I'm living in this God-Forsaken state? These idiots obviously have absolutely NO CLUE. Have they seen what the Dow is doing? Don't they realize that people are hanging on by their fingernails? And what do Deval and these clowns think is the best course of action? Clog dance on the fingernails that people are holding on by. I'm beginning to think Massachusetts is what Rod Serling used to base 'The Twilight Zone' on.

this will be great when the price of oil jumps back up and we're paying $3 a gallon plus this tax. Patrick's only idea to generate money is taxing the already hurting public.

These aren't business chiefs---they're special interest advocates.

Well said Manny. Dollar for dollar match of permanat spending cuts with new tax increases is the only fair way to go. Commuter3, the healthcare and pension costs of retired employees is an enormous burden on all of us. While I agree we should cut the salaries of the bulk of the current workers, we can no longer promise a 30-40 year retirement on the backs of the tax payer.

we've been collecting gas taxes for over40 yrs under the belief that they would be used for transportation infrastructure and bridge repair...and it never happened...fool me once, not twice...sorry but cuts have to be made

These guys are not business leaders. Far from it. Nice try.
We have runaway unemployment, business failing acorss our state, scores of families getting thrown out of their homes and much more bad news on the horizon and all our government and governor can do is put their hands in our pockets. What a profile in courage. For shame.

What is wrong with these MORONS? Unemployment at an altime high, no jobs safe, people over 50 retirements' gone due to stock crash... Government needs to wake up. Cut public servent wages 10%. How about NO PRIVATE USE OF PUBLIC VEHICLES. There are too many MILLIONAIRE lawmakers. I don't see any of them in the unemployment line or threatened to be out of work. They live in fantasy land. It's time public servants become just that, not privelaged millionaires.

You can't cut wages for CBA employees, you cannot change pension benefits for employees that existed at their time of hire. Terms and conditions of employment are binding agreements upon the Commonwealth. Those can only be changed going forward. And what other benefits are you referring to. Profit sharing? Stock options? 401K's? Bonuses? Rides on corporate lear jets? Should state employees NOT have sick time, vacation days, health insurance????? Small minds propose small solutions. The state should however more aggressively pursue cuts by offering early retirement incentives, furloughs etc.

Hey Recall Deval! Plus do not reelect any Beacon Hill pols that votes for it. Lets make a statement. Deval's ideas are just tax increases. They do not know how to live within their means. Cut the pork out of the state govt, While you are at it cut the Governors and Legislators pay!

Unfortunately the state is run by hacks and the people they hire to run state departments are hacks. State employees will keep being seen as unproductive and therefore unnecessary as long as they work for political appointees whose only talent is kissing up to the politicians who hired them.

Clean up state government and state employees will get the respect they deserve.

If the money is indeed used to improve infrastructure, specially the highly unreliable T service, it would be worth it to me. What assurances can be provided that the money collected today in the name of better transportation won't be spent tomorrow on some other stuff?

I say no to a gas tax - for that matter no to any more taxes on taxes to pay for their mistakes - let them fork it up - bunch of thieves - see how fast things straighten up when they have to pay. We are sick of this.

Paul Guzzi ... the expert on everything? R.D. Saul's suck up on NECN with not an originial thought in his vocabulary ....

Spending by the state receives not end of scrutiny, but a close look into town offices is needed. Here waste can be overlooked due to its small size, but when compounded by the many town departments the numbers could dwarf expectations.

The most sensible plan is one that creates a balanced approach to transportation revenue sourcing...without a single source being a "knockout blow" to the public (as the 19-cent or 25-cent increases punitively and myopically represent)...this would be a plan that: has a modest gas tax increase (e.g., less than $0.12/gal gas & $0.14/gal diesel), holds-the-line/slightly reduces toll rates, introduces the VMT fee concept (e.g., $0.0025/mile traveled) the new fiscal year at annual RMV vehicle inspection events for now using the existing pre/post mileage reporting system and gradually replacing it with a test-proven transponder system (in 2014), and a plan which turns over all the rocks for reformed, improved practices (short of privatizing core mission assets).

What a shock - "Business Leaders" who major in BOSTON development and have DEEP POCKETS want a higher gas tax to fix the roads, and bring more businesses to their doorstep.

You want a business poll? Try polling the SMALL BUSINESSES of the state. You know, the ones where a major price hike takes a chunk out of the owners pay. You'll get a different opinion.

MAJOR RECESSION = NO GAS TAX HIKE. How ignorant are those people?

what a scam. feds are going to give 9 billion to the states and apparently that is not enough!

Business Leaders? Come on Globe, get serious. All of the companies mentioned rely on dues, membership fees or donations. That is not business leaders. Try getting comments from someone who actually has to make money. Why not ask someone who owns a transportation company?

So what happens, like last year, when the price went up people stopped driving as much and the revenues went down, if that happens again, will they raise the tax again? If we go green, then what? where will the money come from if there is no gas to tax? Something tells me they are going to tax being green too. Will you get taxed even more if you are geeener?

Transportation is critical to the economy, and gas tax is the most equitable way to fund it. Nobody knows this better than business people. Reform and Revenue is the solution.

you HAVE to be kidding.. what is wrong with you people? Why should the state be taking ANYTHING from us?? I got in my car this morning and of the 10 roads I drive on TO THE COMMUTER RAIL not a SINGLE one was plowed!! And they are going to increase our gas tax??? SERIOUSLY? How about not paying cops double time to stand outside and watch the cars drive by? Or how about not paying the union time and a half to do NOTHING... seriously.. what do we do ? Cause if someone can tell me I will do it..

They still don't get it, do they. NO MORE TAX INCREASES UNTIL THERE ARE MEANINGFUL CUTS IN GOVERNMENT! How many times do we have to say it? I know they can hear us, they just choose to ignore us. Let's see how well that works comes election time....

We have Mass income tax, excise tax, property tax, and soon the highest gas tax, and every other tax there is, and Deval wants a $2 tax increase at logan airport for parking for what he calls some stupid environmental bull crap tax. What has this guy done that's so different than any other democrat in the past everyday he comes out with another way to put his hand in our pockets.

I completely agree with "just thinking 23". If they're going to raise taxes on us at the pump, then spending cuts need to be made AND the tolls need to be eliminated with all the negative externalities that come with them.

The gps inspection sticker it too much like Big Brother and I think that the Civil Liberties Union needs to step in and start litigation now to prevent the government from implementing a completely intrusive tax framework.

It's time we all told the state that we're fed up with the mismanagement and overtaxing.

no tax increases until:

The current system is fully reformed
full disclosure in Mass politics
cut wasteful spending
no taxes getting dumped into the "general fund"

"Most state and municipal employees make well under the average wage as compared to the private sector." —Commuter3

Commuter3, where do you get your facts???

FROM THE GLOBE, May 15, 2008
"According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, public employees in eastern Massachusetts now earn 15 percent more than their private sector counterparts who perform comparable work, and that number is exclusive of more generous government benefit packages."

This state is nuts! What a mad exit you'll have to other states. Businesses and the general population will leave their skid marks at the borders. This is just the kind of thing that will push the unemployed looking for work in other states.
You're shooting yourself in the foot! Like any business in a fiscal crisis why not cut salaries, overtime, positions, details and do everything humanly possible before you come with your hand out! This is an insult to the commonwealth citizens.
Plain and simple....it's Poor management

This board is evidence that we should go back to literacy tests for voting. Do you realize you're talking about the Chamber of Commerce here (!!??!!). You nihilistic morons probably all liked Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber too. But guess what: there are more of us than there are of you. You can be loud on this board and RKO, but at the end of the day, you're going to swallow what we give you to swallow.

This is so unfair to the commuters! I know so many people that commute for longer than one hour because they have to. Can you imagine when the price of gas will go over 3 dollars?! It's not a matter of if, but when! The price of food will go up, again, the cost of living in MA will be unbearable!
We are bracing ourselves for a depression, and the government's answer is more taxes. It's despicable!
Our salaries have not increased, and unemployment is at its all time high. Yet the government taxes us more and more. Taxation without representation.

The "Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation" never met a tax hike they didn't like.

Don't be fooled, people. They are wolves in sheep's clothing.

If they want to increase the tax, then the public should get another crack at voting for the repeal of the state tax......

This is marketing spin plain and simple. I wonder what the incentive is for those business leaders to help Governor Patrick drum up support for a gas tax? Several days ago the Globe published a breakdown of where the gas tax revenue would go. Of the 19 cents only 1.5 cents would go to road and bridge repair, 1.5% would go to unspecified “regional projects” and 3 cents went to fund a rail line on the south shore. The rest went to cover existing budget shortfalls at the MBTA and Turnpike authority. Clearly this is not about road or infrastructure improvement but finding another revenue stream to pay for e MBTA and turnpike authority. I call foul on Paul Guzzi, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, A Better City, and NAIOP Massachusetts. Also, Boston Globe you should be ashamed of this reporting – you are just publishing press releases. How about some journalism with our newspaper!

Hey Tiredofbeingliedto, I am a State employee in IT and I get $40,000 less than any Private sector IT guy doing the same job! Remember, with statistics, give me what you want for an answer and I will give you the numbers to back it up!

Guzzi is a traitor! When was the last time this guy actually stood up for business?? he is a puppet for the administration, always in favor of higher taxes - recently endorsed higher unemployment taxes on businesses. Guzzi - go get a real job where you have to produce for those you represent!!

I would not want any association with these "businessmen" who are clamoring for a gas tax increase ! Who ARE these nuts and how much of their business depends on cronyism and Deval Patricknomics ?

Who are these so called smart business leaders?

What they forget is that the rise in gas prices last summer STARTED the current crisis!!

How come state answers are always new taxes? first, please dont cut off the income tax, then they raised real estate taxes, now the gas tax?

way to chase every non-welfare roll resident out of the state and make it look more like the rust belt!

And they wonder why the state cannot ATTRACT new businesses. Massachusetts is and has for some time not been very business friendly. I think I will move to Texas or florida.

Before you people ask for a gas tax hike, clean p the waste in the STATE first.

We have hacks all in the state. Lottery and the transportation are some of them.

You all had you chance last November 4th. Throw the bums out. Dump the income tax. Let those who take their place come up with new ideas to SERVE THE PEOPLE.

These "business leaders" are idiot losers. I dont care if its a 2 cent hike - I dont want to give a penny to this filthy state. Raise the tax and I'm just going to go from work straight home every day because my salary certainly isnt rising much but all the other bills will because of this hike, gas, food, are. Way to stimulate the economy, you "business" morons.

The next election can't come soon enough. Please write to your reps.

None of these old men have ever worked for a business; they are all paid lobbyists. A history of their business experience would be a fun article. And, could someone find out what the governor's campaign manager is doing, now that he hired her in his office, maybe she can save the day since she didn't get the international trade job they fired the other woman for.

Why not tax the businesses in Boston, and those accessible within the transportation systems? Don't know what kind of taxes businesses pay in regard to transportation, but if they don't already, they should since the workers already have to deal with the super frustration of traffic jams and a ridiculous T system every day; and we know the CEOs could fix this problem by selling a few jets. Workers have already had their health benefits cut to subsidize the salaries of those at the top. Businesses should subsidize transportation just like in the early days of automobiles when car companies built roads so that their consumers could use their product. Businesses should think about how productive a worker the happy commuter can be, and this productivity, of course, will affect their bottom line. As for the commuter/worker, not many want to give out more hard-earned money to improve a system that has been riddled with mismanagement and waste; there is no confidence that the new money will fix an old problem. Transparent reform and accountability is needed. This stock is not worth buying.

for those that say "cut state workers" - don't foreget there are state run hospitals and group homes, that employee doctors, CNA's and the like, that make less money then if they worked in a private hospital. CNA's and group home workers in particualar are totally underpaid for the great work that they do! There is no way they can afford a pay cut. Now for upper management....well that is a whole other story

The "Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation" represents the state's employee unions. Despite the name, it does not represent the Massachusetts taxpayer.

You all missed a golden opportunity to stick it to the hacks by voting YES on Question 1.

Voting NO has emboldened the governor to feel he has a mandate and continued support for this foul, inefficient, trickle down, gimmick.

I am, sadly, a member of NAIOP Massachusetts and I can tell you the Mass chapter was under fire for this very type of hypocrisy Begelfer is pushing at our national meeting. Yes, commercial real estate and job creation does stand to benefit from infrastructure projects, BUT, becoming the highest taxed state when it comes to transportation will NOT attract business and will NOT increase demand for our projects. This is one more reason NOT to locate in Mass. We can only pay for improvements with tax revenue generated by an EXPANDING economy, not a retracting one.. This is truly a sad display.

WHERE ARE THE REFORMS THE GOV TALKED ABOUT IN SEPTEMBER.

1) Cap pensions to 52K per year.
2) No pension until you are 65
3) NO MORE DOUBLE DIPPING !!!!!!!!
4) Fold Mass Pike and Massport into Mass Highway
5) No retiring at 46, and receiving 6 figure pension
6) Require PROOF of citizenship, in order to receive Housing, Food stamps , etc.....................this is just for starters. REFORMS FIRST, TAX AS LAST RESORT.

What are these: The 5 Horsemen of the Apocolypse? They won't be paying the increase, and they clearly aren't "businessmen", if they don't get that this proposal is bad for business and for the economy.

When the Legislature gets the guts to put tolls on 93 and the governor and Aloisi actually accomplish some reform, then they should come back to us with a more reasonable combination of tax and tools, but not until then.

i agree with vote out deval or w/e this is rediculas im only 16 and just started driving .. ihave 1 part time job and bairly get enough gas money qasit is .. if these idiots think this will help buissnes it wont it will keep me off the roads ALOT more and same for alot of my friends wich is quite a few and i can imagine the majority of the minors and young people driving in the state are thinking the same .. please concider the lower class including the minors before you guys make any dissisions because we all no that this rise wont affect you but it will us ..