Tech & Biz

Toll and Fee Increases Versus Gas Tax in Taxachsetts

by harringtola | February 25, 2009 at 07:17 am

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The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority approved a set of staggered toll hikes yesterday that could be eliminated if the Legislature increases the state gas tax.

The trade off in the mind of state legislator's is the gas tax versus toll hikes or fee increases.

The toll hikes could eventually cost commuters hundreds of dollars per year. In the meantime, the complex plan is likely to baffle them.

Constituents who work or socialize or live in Boston and suburbs will have a hard time with the hike in tolls. The question for all state officials, and it has been for some time is who should foot the bill for the Big Dig and other Boston area transportation improvements. If you look at the details of the gas tax proposal the majority of the 19 cents goes to Boston area infrastructure costs new and previously incurred.

The toll hike plan that passed 4 to 1 yesterday, forged amid months of protests and public deliberations, comes in two steps. The first increase takes effect March 29, bringing cash tolls to $1.50 at the Allston-Brighton and Weston tolls and to $5.50 at the Ted Williams and Sumner tunnels.

The second hike takes effect July 1, bringing cash tolls to $2 at the booths inside Route 128 and $7 at the tunnels.

Board members said both rounds of toll increases can be averted if the Legislature increases the gas tax before they take effect. If the Legislature raises the gas tax after tolls go up, the toll increases will be rolled back, they promised.

In a time when in recent history, federal law makers have considered a "gas holiday", the question for citizens of Massachusetts is whether or not the gas tax solution is a dangerous alternative imposed on people in the state who get no value from some of the transition that takes place in and around Boston and whether or not that is "fair" taxation.

Governor Deval Patrick has promised repeatedly since late 2007 to present a comprehensive transportation restructuring plan, but was unable to do so in time to avoid Tuesday's vote.

The "discussion" continues! A solution is as of yet to be reached.