BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick settled Friday on a gasoline tax increase as the most appropriate way to set the state's transportation system on a long-term course of sustainability.
Top aides said the governor would announce during a news conference at the state Transportation Building that the tax hike would eliminate the need for a proposed doubling of Massachusetts Turnpike tolls slated to take effect this spring.
More broadly, said the aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of the formal announcement, Patrick believes the tax increase will allow the state to finally address $5 billion of lingering debt at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and $2.2 billion in debt at the Turnpike.
The governor said earlier this week that he would not seek a tax increase without getting legislative support for overhauling the state's transportation bureaucracy. Such reforms — including abolishing the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, round out his plan.
The Associated Press, quoting a draft of the plan last week, said the Patrick was considering streamlining operations into Highway, Rail and Transit, Aviation and Ports, and Registry of Motor Vehicles divisions. The AP also reported Patrick was considering a 27-cent gas tax increase, which would leave Massachusetts with the nation's highest rate at 50.5 cents per gallon.
The aides would not divulge the size of the tax increase the governor has settled upon, saying it would be announced at the news conference, scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Transportation Building site is a symbolic one. It not only is the Turnpike's headquarters, but it also is home to the T and the Executive Office of Transportation. The draft plan called for eliminating divisions between agencies and pooling their resources where possible.
Patrick told a Chamber of Commerce audience this week that resolving the state's problems long-term would require either a toll increase or a gas tax hike. A show of hands among the 600 at the speech revealed widespread support for the gas tax hike as the most equitable means for spreading transportation costs.
The governor also said he was considering Registry fee changes to promote drivership of fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as a "Vehicle Miles Traveled" system to eventually replace the gas tax.
Under such systems, one of which has already been tested in Oregon, drivers are charged precisely for the miles they drive — regardless of the fuel efficiency of their vehicle. It allows a state to continue raising the money for road and bridge repairs while efficiency reduces the demand for gasoline.
Concerns such a system could allow "Big Brother" tracking of vehicle movements were addressed in Oregon by using a passive — rather than active — GPS device to measure mileage. It could only tell when miles were incurred within the Oregon borders, not the specific roads on which they were traveled.
The bulk of the Pike's $2.2 billion is from the Big Dig, while the MBTA's $5 billion debt is from long-term costs. A panel also said state roads and bridges will need $20 billion in repairs during the next 20 years.
Local News
Patrick opts for gas tax
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Church grotto sparks controversy
Ken Yuszkus/Staff photo The statue of Mary in a grotto has a new coat of white paint which covered the graffiti that was found recently painted on the statue.
SALEM — A neighborhood group is trying to save an old stone grotto, a reproduction of the famous shrine at Lourdes, that stands next to a Catholic church that was closed nearly a decade ago.
The Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Association said it has been in talks with Lifebridge, the former Salem Mission, over the fate of the large grotto located on the homeless shelter's Margin Street property. -
Crash victim dies despite heroic rescue effort
BEVERLY — Heroic efforts by firefighters were not enough to save a Beverly man whose vehicle rolled over on Hale Street in the early hours Saturday.
His name has not been released but his age was put at roughly 55, said Deputy Fire Chief William Walsh. -
Prep graduates headed down different paths
DANVERS — A St. John's Prep graduation can take you in a lot of different directions. You might even become a clown.
That was the theme struck by senior Derek Dow and other speakers at yesterday's 102nd St. John's Prep commencement where 276 seniors from 51 cities and towns received their diplomas under a sprawling white tent on the school's sun-splattered campus. -
Danvers gears up for lengthy rail-trail party
DANVERS — You might consider the June 2 dedication of the Danvers Rail Trail one of the longest in the town's history, not in terms of time but in terms of distance, as celebrations are planned throughout the 4.3-mile stretch from Wenham to Peabody.
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Photo Gallery: 2012 Graduations
Images of the Class of 2012 for North Shore high schools, colleges and universities. Updated throughout the graduation season.
- Woman charged with trying to infect landlord
- Man trapped in two-car accident
- Wild chase ends in suspect's capture
- Salem State University graduations
- Endicott College graduation
- Gordon College awards 361 bachelor's degrees, 34 master's
- Local students graduate from Endicott College
- 'Innovative' Beverly High chosen for national event
- Danvers High's technology will trickle down to grade schools
- Brothers in boots get sneak peek at new fire truck
- 6th District Race: A look at the men behind the candidates
- Dad, daughter get degrees at Salem State
- Peabody bookie wins delay in prison sentence
- Police
- HSI puts St. Joseph appeal on hold
- Bostik will pay $600K in fines for explosion
- Turner's Seafood eyes Danvers location
- Promoting a bike-friendly city
- Judge orders brawling seniors to avoid each other
- A dramatic new look for an old church
- A makeover for Salem High Hall of Fame
- Serial offender held in assault
- Salem State graduate commencement
- Town Meeting to tackle budget shortfalls, affordable housing
- Police
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