Friends,
This week, the Governor filed his Transportation and Economic Security legislation. Because this is a robust and sometimes heated discussion, and to make sure the facts are clear, below is a summary of the reasons for the Governor's proposal.
1. Our transportation system--roads, bridges, rails--has been neglected for over 16 years. For years, both government and the public have deferred the difficult decisions, foisting debt and crumbling roads on to the backs of future generations.
2. Because of this neglect, our system is at a physical and financial breaking point. The Governor has leveled with the public about the desperate need to renew our transportation system as a key engine of economic growth. If we ignore it, we pay the price as a Commonwealth, both now and tomorrow.
3. The Governor proposed a 19-cent gas tax increase, a cost of about $8 per month to the average driver. While the Governor is not eager to raise taxes at a time when we are facing difficult economic challenges, this is the most equitable solution to the problems that affect every community in our Commonwealth. It will prevent toll hikes, MBTA service cuts and fare increases, and make an investment in our roads and bridges and regional transit authorities outside Greater Boston that will position Massachusetts for strong statewide economic growth and competitiveness when we cycle out of the current downturn. If we don't get new revenue, we will continue to be mired in long-term debt that our children will shoulder, and our network of roads and bridges will continue to deteriorate, costing drivers over $718 million in car repairs alone.
4. Ultimately, this is about choices, about facing up to the unpleasant reality we have ignored for too long, and finally bringing solutions that will help move our Commonwealth forward. If, as a Commonwealth, we expect to have smooth roads, safe bridges, and reliable public transportation, we also need to have an expectation that it will require all of us to invest in the building and maintenance of that system. The Governor believes that a 19-cent gas tax, coupled with a series of meaningful, lasting reforms, is the equitable solution to end our long cycle of neglect and inaction and make our roads and bridges a key part of our economic development engine going forward.
5. To be clear, the Governor does not support a tax increase AND a toll increase.
This is obviously a lively debate, and as always the Governor welcomes your input. Please respond to this email if you have any questions and we will get back to you.
Additionally, you can learn more at www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts.
Thanks for your continued active participation.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Golar Richie
Executive Director
P.S. Yesterday's Boston Globe featured an op-ed that strongly supports one feature of the Governor's Transportation and Economic Security Plan; namely, the 19-cent per gallon increase in the state gasoline tax. Click here to read Barry Bluestone's and Stephanie Pollack's column.
1 comment:
It has been my understanding that the revenue from the existing gasolene tax was originally specified to be applied only to the maintenance and repair of highways. It is my further understanding that those revenues have long since been diverted to other purposes. How long should we expect it to be before the revenue from the new tax is similarly diverted?
This diversion phenomenon is not unique to Massachusetts, but it certainly is the kind of thing that makes tazpayers blood boil, and distrust of politicians endemic.
The aviation industry has been blessed with an aviation fuel tax to be accumulated in a trust fund and used exclusively for the building and maintenance of airports, airways, and navigation facilities. Guess what? Trust fund money is now used for the day to day operation of the Federal Aviation Administration. Sic Semper politics.
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