Taxes and Fees part 1

The governor of Massachusetts and the president of Umass must have each other listed as their emergency contacts. Why else would their plans to generate revenue be so similar. Governor Patrick wants to raise taxes and Umass President Jack Wilson wants to raise fees.

Governor Patrick wants to raise gas tax by 19 cents while getting rid of tolls on the Massachusetts turnpike. I can't fathom why you would get rid of 1 source of revenue and make another one so extravagant. Lately the turnpike has been making less money, which means less revenue.

from the Boston Globe:

Nancy Singer, an FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] spokeswoman, said federal officials don’t really know why driving has been dropping.

Initially, some were blaming the high price of gas for the decline in driving. But Singer said, “In recent months the price of gas has actually gone downward … This has not been reflected in miles driven.”

This is an excerpt from the February 19 article. Umm. Nancy? Do you guys think less people are driving because jobs are in decline and those people who have jobs are trying to conserve money? Quite possibly drivers are taking back roads instead.

Not to mention getting rid of tolls means more people losing their jobs. Why not put tolls on busy areas such as Route 128. Since it's a major if not the biggest road for commuting to Boston, why not collect some revenue from people using it. And let Boston alone keep the money they get. Maybe then Boston can pay for its own fiscal deliquentcey and the excess can eventually help the people inside the city that have needed help for decades.

Back to the gas tax, which was originally proposed at 27 cents in a possible "vision of grandiose" moment by the governor. Why are you taxing our gas in Western Massachusetts? We don't have adequate public transportation.

A response:

He [Governor Patrick]also said it would make the transportation system more environmentally responsible through steps such as increased investment in public transportation outside Boston and adopting various standard to build and buy in environmentally friendly ways.

-Doubtful. Who is going to be able to invest in public transportation, the already wealthy Boston firms? I can't wait to be just another piece of revenue.
You will only cripple those who are barely scrapping by now. I say you because the governor needs to take responsibility for his actions.

Also this proposed idea of putting a chip in my car so that the state can tax me mile by mile is atrocious. Again Western Massachusetts has no viable public transportation. The serfdom of Western, MA is being brutalized again by the lords in Boston.

Gas: Nobody Rides for Free

Here is the lead by Joan Lowy of the Associated Press with the byline

Motorists' Habits Spur Call For Tax Increases:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs.

The government wants to raise gas taxes because obviously it needs money to fix federal run roads, etc. The proposal is a $0.10 raise on the federal tax, which is in addition to whatever state taxes exist. If the government needs additional tax money to generate the funds to fix their roads etc. and the government doesn’t have the money to give to the states, then isn’t it logical that the states will have to do the same with their gas tax?

Raising the gas tax by both the state and the federal government will only keep driving habits low if not lower them unless the consumer gets to a level of driving necessity that cannot be altered. Perhaps many of us will give the real American salute (you know, the one you gave to the hockey mom driving the Ford Explorer with Alaska plates that just cut you off).
And we’ll all get vespa’s with 60 miles per gallon. Sure it will take a little longer to get to work, but think of the money we’ll save and don't worry we’ll make it look cool.


In response, the government would more than likely raise the tax, end the subsidies on fuel efficient vehicles, and propaganda motor scooter users as crazed gangs of non-tax paying outlaws.