MA Group Says Governor’s Transportation Plan “Too Taxing”
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Bay State group said that Minority Leader Brad Jones’ proposed tax-free transportation funding plan is a better solution to the Patrick’s proposal.
“For the first time, taxpayer's interests are being interjected into the transportation funding plan. The minority party’s plan is speaking to the majority of the state and the interests that we all share which is doing more with less,” said Paul Craney, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
The group issued a statement, saying, “Jones’ proposal is the third funding plan to be presented to the public, following Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray and Governor Patrick’s plan, all of which dramatically raise taxes.”
“Too Taxing”
While Patrick has vowed to veto the alternative plan from state house legislators, Craney says that the Governor’s plan is just “too taxing.”
“Today some elected leaders demonstrated good ideas with political courage and their ideas should be heard. The Legislature owes it to the public to hold hearings on these transportation proposals. The Governor and the Speaker's plans are just too taxing,” said Craney.
Patrick has said that his transportation plan is designed to “prepare for a better future for the next generation.”
In addition to the Patrick-Murray Administration’s $13 billion capital investment over 10 years in transportation projects in the Commonwealth, a $269 million increase is included in the Governor’s plan for fiscal year 2014.
This increase, Patrick says, will be used for a number of initiatives, including eliminating the MBTA’s structural operating deficit and providing modest MBTA service enhancements such as expanding evening hours and restored weekend service in areas that have been cut and improved customer service.
Still, state house Republicans say there is another solution.
The Alternative
The proposed alternative bill would use taxes from gas and tobacco to increase funding for transportation.
“Fully recognizing the need for maintaining our state transportation system, the republican plan dedicates a portion of new tax revenue growth to be allocated to transportation needs without a single tax increase,” Mass Fiscal Alliance said. “Its focus is to fully fund the necessities of this state and look for ways to reform current financing practices to make them more efficient and sensible, potentially saving the Commonwealth millions of dollars every year.”
In the face of Governor Patrick’s stand to veto the proposed alternative, Speaker Robert DeLeo has held firm. Patrick has also said that the alternative plan would cause a hike in MBTA fares, something DeLeo also disagreed with.
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