Plan Launched To Avoid Toll Hikes
Legislation Would Freeze Board's Ability To Raise Fees
POSTED: 7:08 am EST November 19,
2008
UPDATED: 12:21 pm EST November 19,
2008
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BOSTON -- Some local lawmakers are looking for ways to throw up roadblocks to a Massachusetts Turnpike Authority plan to raise toll and tunnel fees.
VideoNewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that more than 30 lawmakers are now working to block the toll hikes. They've proposed legislation that would freeze the Turnpike Authority board's powers to change toll rates until at least next December.Last week, the board voter to raise tolls at Weston and Allston-Brighton from $1.25 to $2 and to double the $3.50 toll for the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels. Republican state Sen. Scott Brown co-sponsored the legislation."My New Year's resolution, and I'm hoping the administration and the Legislature's resolution, is to get serious about saving the taxpayer's and toll payers money. Do some cuts, reconsolidating, and try to save about $2 billion, and then they can come to the taxpayers and say, 'You know what? We've done everything,'" Brown said.Gov. Deval Patrick has already proposed merging the Turnpike Authority with the Massachusetts Highway Department and reshuffling the Big Dig debt, as well as removing the western tolls. Supporters said it's unlikely the Legislature will take-up the most recent bill this year. Their goal is for passage in January.Patrick said he's willing to consider raising the state's gasoline tax instead, but any discussion won't come in time to prevent likely hikes in turnpike and bridge tolls. Rep. David Linsky, a Democrat from Natick, is planning to file a bill to get rid of all 'Pike tolls in exchange for a 6-cents-per-gallon tax hike. The current gas tax of 23.5 cents a gallon has not changed since 1991. The national average is 30 cents, and neighboring states charge more, such as New York's 42.5 cents. Patrick said "it's not realistic" that the Legislature would vote on a tax hike before the state must deal with paying for Big Dig debt.
VideoNewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that more than 30 lawmakers are now working to block the toll hikes. They've proposed legislation that would freeze the Turnpike Authority board's powers to change toll rates until at least next December.Last week, the board voter to raise tolls at Weston and Allston-Brighton from $1.25 to $2 and to double the $3.50 toll for the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels. Republican state Sen. Scott Brown co-sponsored the legislation."My New Year's resolution, and I'm hoping the administration and the Legislature's resolution, is to get serious about saving the taxpayer's and toll payers money. Do some cuts, reconsolidating, and try to save about $2 billion, and then they can come to the taxpayers and say, 'You know what? We've done everything,'" Brown said.Gov. Deval Patrick has already proposed merging the Turnpike Authority with the Massachusetts Highway Department and reshuffling the Big Dig debt, as well as removing the western tolls. Supporters said it's unlikely the Legislature will take-up the most recent bill this year. Their goal is for passage in January.Patrick said he's willing to consider raising the state's gasoline tax instead, but any discussion won't come in time to prevent likely hikes in turnpike and bridge tolls. Rep. David Linsky, a Democrat from Natick, is planning to file a bill to get rid of all 'Pike tolls in exchange for a 6-cents-per-gallon tax hike. The current gas tax of 23.5 cents a gallon has not changed since 1991. The national average is 30 cents, and neighboring states charge more, such as New York's 42.5 cents. Patrick said "it's not realistic" that the Legislature would vote on a tax hike before the state must deal with paying for Big Dig debt.Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
