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Looking to governor, Turnpike delays toll hike decision

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 24, 2009 03:24 PM

By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

A crucial decision on a $100 million toll hike on the Massachusetts Turnpike, initially scheduled for Thursday, has been pushed back to Monday because of unresolved political questions on Beacon Hill.

Governor Deval Patrick

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board was to meet in Framingham to vote on its budget. But with Governor Deval Patrick still mulling a veto of the state budget, the authority does not yet know if it will get a bailout to prevent a toll increase it previously approved.

A toll hike that would double tolls at the harbor tunnels and raise fees substantially at other booths inside Greater Boston is scheduled to take effect in a week. Board members have been hopeful that money set aside in the state budget from a sales tax increase would help the board avert the increase. But Patrick has said he may veto the state budget, passed last week in the Legislature.

"Unless and until the executive and legislative branches of government reach sufficient agreement to provide the turnpike authority with $100 million, which everyone recognizes it needs, the only thing we can do is have that toll increase," said Michael Angelini, a board member. "In a way, we're spectators to a drama conducted elsewhere."

Patrick has linked his decision on whether to sign the budget, which includes an increase in the state sales tax, to two unresolved issues in the Legislature: a transportation overhaul bill that was passed last week but is still unsigned and an ethics bill that is expected to be released today.

“The administration continues to analyze the very complex transportation reform bill and budget sent to the governor by the Legislature. Given the time needed to determine whether these bills meet the long term needs of the Commonwealth, it is both prudent and respectful to postpone the Turnpike's Board meeting until next Monday,” James A. Aloisi Jr., the chairman of the Turnpike board and state transportation secretary, said in a statement.

The Turnpike Board meeting will be postponed until Monday, June 29, 2009, 9:30 a.m. at the Framingham Town Hall: