The initial skirmishes have begun over the gasoline tax, with metro west legislators outraged by the toll hikes filing legislation to avert those hikes through an increase in the gas tax. From the Boston Herald:
Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick) plans on filing a bill today that would call for dropping all Pike tolls, including those in Weston and Allston, in exchange for raising the gas tax by 6 cents. Rep. Steve Walsh (D-Lynn) is also filing legislation that would freeze the current rates until Gov. Deval Patrick unveils a comprehensive transportation plan.
The Walsh idea is reflective of some legislative discomfort over the lack of a filing by Governor Patrick. The Governor has indicated he will file a plan in January, but with the toll increases announced already it has put the legislature in a politically untenable position. In an email to his colleagues Walsh expressed the hope that the toll increases could be considered as part of an overall package only after a filing by the Governor.
“This will allow the Legislature to reconvene in January and deliberate on a more equitable solution to our transportation debt. Although I realize that the chances for passage in this session are slim, I believe it is important to organize now so that action can be taken quickly after the first of the year,” Walsh wrote.
The battle has begun, with toll equity certainly a legitimate issue. The Senate Chair of Transportation, Steve Baddour of Methuen, remains opposed to a gas tax increase. Where House Chair Joe Wagoner stands today I am not sure. This will begin a long debate over transportation funding that is seriously overdue.
Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
I told you what would happen if we failed prop #1.
Two weeks since the election we face toll increases and additional gas taxes.
Everyone who voted NO on prop #1 has no right to complain.
With the economy in a mess, sales way down, this tax raise is truly pilling on.
TAXACHUSETTS is alive and well.
How much is Methuen saving now that civilian construction guards are in play?
I can hardly wait for Obama begins his administration.
Jules
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Putting Prop #1 on the ballot was an irresponsible and childish act. The unwashed masses aren’t all the good judges of what is best for them. That’s why we elect the best and brightest to do it for us. and we don’t have town meetings to decide everything.
“I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization” Chief justice Holmes.
Tell me where we are going to get the money to pay for the huge transportational debt hole we are in? The state doesn’t exactly have a a US treasury to fall back on. It was eventually going to fall at the feet of the taxpayer. WE wrote the checks, we have to pay the bill. And seriously who would notice another few pennies on a gallon of gas. You think it’s going to STAY where it is right now? It’s game played on us, the price goes up and we forget about saving gas and finding new energy sources, we get complacent and it creeps back up again and oil companies set new record profits, then we scream and threaten to abandon our cars in favor of biking to work and mysteriously the price of gas drops. It’s not like they picked more oil off the tree. We will only converse better and concentrate on changing our behavior when buying gasoline is consistently hurting us in the pocket book. Yes it’s painful, but when you were paying 4 bucks a gallon you did THINK about driving wisely EVERY DAMN TIME YOU TURNED THE KEY.
This whining about my taxes are too high is just denial. Grow up and wear a cup.
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jgodsey,
Tell you what. You and your like minded effete snobby minions pay for it. I’m going to fight taxes tooth and unwashed nail.
By the way you are speaking, I assume you pick the higher of the two tax rates on your Mass income tax form. Right?
Hey, unwashed friends, this reply should be enlightening.
Jules
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Jgodsey,
We are awaiting your answer to which tax rate you pay on your state tax return, the higher or lower.
I am betting the lower.
Jules
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