While us regular citizens are already cringing at gas prices, there are some Beacon Hill pols who are entertaining the idea of raising the gas tax.
With gas prices well over $3 a gallon and the country veering toward a possible recession, the idea of hiking the state gas tax continues to linger just out of sight on Beacon Hill.And while no Statehouse leaders have embraced the idea publicly, few also seem ready to reject it entirely as they struggle to close a $1.3 billion funding shortfall.
Just this week, Gov. Deval Patrick again refused to rule out the possibility of imposing a new tax at the pump as one way to help close the state’s spending gap.
"I have never opposed raising the gas tax. What I have said is that it is not my first choice," Patrick said in response to reporters’ questions Wednesday. "I think I would be right in saying that it is not the first choice of most consumers in Massachusetts, especially in these times."
It's not the first choice, second choice, third choice... you get the idea. I'm not left with a feeling of confidence that lawmakers will keep a gas tax hike on the way back burner--despite their claims.
Senate President Therese Murray, rolling out a package of transportation reforms on Thursday, also refused to reject talk of a higher gas tax or increased tolling, although she said nothing was in the works."Those things, if they happen, will come last. The first things we’re going to see is do we have savings in the system and how we manage the system we presently have," Murray said. "We know there are savings."
The reforms outlined by Murray include replacing some police details at roadside construction cites with civilian flag men and requiring new Turnpike and MBTA retirees to pay health insurance contributions in line with other state workers.
Like we can expect that lawmakers will take away the police details? These guys live for those details, and they will put up a good fight to keep them. If they could have done that by now, they would have.
What else do you got, Senator Murray? Any ideas that could actually happen?
UPDATE 4/4/08: Law enforcement unions have put the kibosh on getting rid of police details... Back to square one.
