The political dance between Governor Patrick and the Legislature over transportation continued yesterday, with the governor taking some fire over his plan to raise the gas tax by 19 cents. The Governor has, up to this point, been substantially outmaneuvered by the State Senate, who filed a reform package that did not deal with revenues, leaving the Governor to recommend either massive toll hikes or a gas tax increase. The Governor responded by advocating a 19 cent increase in the gas tax, and leaving toll prices where they are, as well as advocating for many reforms contained in the Senate bill. But he has yet to file a bill.

The Governor, in floating his proposal, may well have turned the tables on the legislature somewhat, with the Mass Pike board prepared to vote on toll increases today, with the stipulation that these increases would be rolled back once the legislature votes to increase the gas tax. But this scenario has top transportation legislators up in arms, as the Governor’s failure to file a bill continues to dog him politically. Both House Chair Joe Wagoner and Senate Chair Steve Baddour took aim at the Mass Pike vote and the lack of a legislative filing by the Governor. From the State House News Service:

“Here we are with a vote about to take place and no bill has been filed,” said House Transportation Committee chair Rep. Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee).

And Senate Chair Steve Baddour weighed in as well.

“We don’t vote on PowerPoints,” Baddour said. “We vote on bills.”

Ouch! Both called for a delay in the toll hike vote, but Secretary Aloisi indicated to Chairman Wagoner that the vote would proceed.

Wagner and his co-chair, Sen. Steven Baddour (D-Methuen), said they planned to send a letter to Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, who chairs the Turnpike board, first thing Tuesday morning, hours before the vote. Wagner said he called Aloisi after 5 pm to urge a delayed vote. …Wagner said Aloisi told him the vote, which administration officials say is needed to avert an increase in Turnpike borrowing costs, would proceed.

Aloisi, in a statement, confirmed the vote would go forward, but promised a rollback once the Legislature votes on a “reform and revenue” package.

In a statement released through a spokesman late Monday, Aloisi said, “A two phased toll increase will allow time for [a] reform bill to be passed without the full impact of the Turnpike’s fiscal problems falling on the toll payers. Without the initial action taken tomorrow Turnpike bonds will be downgraded to junk bond status – something that’s bad for every state agency and authority. Our commitment is to roll this toll increase back as soon as the legislature passes a comprehensive reform and revenue package.”

As far as the prospects for a gas tax increase on the order of 19 cents both Baddour and Wagoner sounded pessimistic.

Wagner and Baddour also said lawmakers would likely oppose a gas tax increase as steep as 19 cents without preceding reform.

“I am not sure I think the votes are there,” Wagner said.

Baddour said, “I don’t support a 19-cent gas tax [increase], especially since we haven’t done reforms.”

The Governor appears to have a lot of work to do to garner support for his package. A good starting point would probably be filing a bill.