Thought of the Day - 12/07/09

What would you say to a proposal to increase our state’s 23.5 cent gas tax by between 10 and 50 cents a gallon to cover transportation expenses?

I say: no way.

But that’s exactly the question that will be before lawmakers today as a legislative committee hears testimony on several bills that seek to raise the gas tax.

Raising the gas tax would have harmful effects on our economy. Massachusetts families can’t afford to pay additional money to commute to work and school each day, let alone take their cars on trips or staycations. Businesses here also rely heavily on state roads to transport their goods and services, and an increased gas tax would have a serious impact on their bottom line.

If nothing else, I think it’s egregious for state government to propose tax increases at a time when we still haven’t made the tough decisions necessary to cut wasteful spending from our budget.

I also think it’s interesting that these proposals are receiving serious consideration just one month after a sweeping transportation reform bill took effect. That bill was supposed to achieve savings and efficiencies in our transportation system through restructuring.

It’s clear to me that any proposal to increase the gas tax now is a signal to taxpayers that either the transportation bill is a failure, or that Beacon Hill is looking for any excuse to ask people to pay more money for the same old services. Either way, increasing the gas tax is a bad idea.

What do you think? Please post a comment below.