Not Since the Massachusetts Miracle Have I felt So Left Out

 Diane and I were in a restaurant we like in Chinatown the other day picking up take out for dinner.  A fellow named Bill came up and introduced himself.  He told me he was an electrician and that business is slow right now.  Like so many others, Bill is feeling anxious.  He told me he thought I was doing a good job, which I appreciated.  "But please," he said, "don't raise my gas tax."  My gas tax.

I understand what Bill is feeling.  He is not alone.  It is a crummy time to ask people to contribute more.  That is just one of the reasons I have come so reluctantly to support increasing the gas tax. 

But, Bill, just as it is your gas tax, it's also your broken roads, your rusted bridges, your higher Turnpike tolls and higher T fares, your inadequate regional transit, and yes, your mountain of Big Dig debt.  It belongs to all of us today and tomorrow.  And just as our parents and grandparents sacrificed to build it for us in their time, we in ours are going to have to sacrifice to maintain it and improve it for tomorrow. 

This is one Commonwealth.  We share in the sacrifices.  We share in the challenges.  We share in the investments in our future.  And when those investments bear fruit, we share in the benefit, together.

To ensure economic development and job growth in all parts of the Commonwealth, including outside of the Greater Boston area, we dedicate 1.5 cents to the regional transit authorities, 1.5 cents to targeted regional road projects, and 3 cents to southern, western and northern rail projects - which includes a significant down payment on South Coast Rail.

So, our Plan calls for a 19-cent increase in the gas tax.  The average driver would pay the equivalent of about one large cup of coffee a week, less than $8 per month.  And by restricting the gas tax to the transportation fund, taxpayers will be assured that their money is dedicated exclusively to transportation projects.

"Massachusetts Miracle" refers to a period of economic growth in the state of Massachusetts during most of the 1980s. Previous to this, the state had been hit hard by de-industrialization and resulting unemployment. The growth was heavily centered in high-tech industry and financial services, within Boston and in its suburbs along Route 128. The expansion of the high tech industry along MA-128 has lead to the term "128" meaning more than just the road itself, but the technology area as a whole, much like Silcon Valley. Some notable companies at the time of the Miracle were Digital Equipment Corporation, Data General, Wang Laboratories, and Apollo Computer[1].

Michael Dukakis was governor of Massachusetts during most of this time and attempted to take credit for the "Miracle" during his campaign for United States President in 1988. Unfortunately for his campaign, the trend of economic growth began to reverse at that time.

In a telephone interview shortly after the White House gathering, Menino praised the outreach to the mayors by the Obama administration.

"This is a meeting that I've never seen happen before; we had a president, vice president, and Cabinet officials explaining to us what this money will do for us," he said. "I think the stimulus bill really is an unprecedented investment in America's cities."

Menino said he spoke to Attorney General Eric Holder about funding for Boston police and Holder assured the mayor that the stimulus money could be used to avert layoffs, although it's unclear exactly how much Boston will receive and when. The mayor said he scheduled another discussion with Holder for Tuesday, when he hopes to learn more.

With Boston facing an estimated $145 million budget shortfall this year, city officials have said teachers and police officers could face layoffs unless more revenue is found.

City officials estimated earlier this week that Boston could receive at least $125 million from the stimulus package, including $69 million for schools, $30 million for housing, and $5 million for police. But they said most of that money was directed toward infrastructure improvements.