Monday, February 9, 2009

You know how....

sometimes you have to read something 2 or 3 times before it sinks in?
Guess what part of this story I had to re-read:


AP NewsBreak: Patrick weighs 27 cent gas tax hike

By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer | February 9, 2009

BOSTON --Gov. Deval Patrick is considering raising the gasoline tax in Massachusetts by 27 cents per gallon as part of a comprehensive transportation overhaul plan, The Associated Press learned Monday.

The proposal would stave off a doubling of Turnpike tolls planned for this summer, but would leave the state with the highest gasoline tax in the nation at 50.5 cents.

A policy draft obtained Monday by the AP said the added tax would be dedicated to paying down the debt of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, funding regional transit authorities and removing some tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Tolls would be removed west of Route 128 by the end of next year. Tolls within Route 128, from Westin to Boston, would come down as the state shifts to a program of tracking -- and charging -- all drivers based on the miles they travel.

Trips would be measured by a chip installed in a vehicle inspection sticker as soon as 2014, and drivers would receive a gas-tax refund to avoid double payments.

"The Patrick administration recognizes that a greener, more fuel-efficient transportation system means that the gas tax will become a less viable (means) of funding our transportation system," said the document prepared by Transportation Secretary James Aloisi. "A user-fee based system, collected electronically, is a fair way to pay for our transportation needs in the future."

An administration spokesman said the governor has made no final decisions about his plan, which is promised by the end of the month.

"We're finalizing our transportation reform plan," Patrick spokesman Joe Landolfi said. "It will be a comprehensive initiative, but no final decisions have been made -- especially on a gas tax."

4 comments:

mark phelan said...

TRACKING? TRACKING? i'm moving to kansas...

Imgone said...

Yet ANOTHER reason why I am opposed to that moron being our Governor. Ughhh.....

Carr's Garage said...

Man, I feel sorry for you guys...of course I'm sure it'll be here soon enough.

Unknown said...

Um...just say no...the chip is slipped in all kindsa places....Ye Olde RFID...
..."Many wrote to say they fear that the tracking technology will be exploited to monitor our private lives--but that won't likely happen. Governments and companies won't have the time or energy to sift through all that data. Even if they do, what will they figure out? That car thieves are among the most loyal consumers of Sunny Delight?"...
HA! I knew it!