(Love the photo, Judy.
Conceptually, I am 100% behind a higher gas tax to pay for better transit and better roads -- and to stave off massive and massively unfair toll hikes. The question is whether we'd be paying for that, or for a continuation of hackery and sweet deals in the various agencies. That money can be spent well, or badly; so the details are important.
And do see Barry Bluestone's and Stephanie Pollack's great column today about the costs that everyone will pay if the gas tax increase does not go through: "Ever-higher tolls and transit fares, car repairs, time lost to traffic jams and delayed trains, wasted gasoline, emergency repairs, and soaring debt service charges." - promoted by Charley on the MTA)
 As the debate over the gas tax goes forward it's interesting to note that supporters, including the Governor and his Secretary of Transportation are asking us all to own up to a collective responsibility for our broken roads and bridges, our inadequate public transportation system, and our debt. (Note the use of the pronoun "our")
Mayor Curtatone in the Somerville News says "anyone who has followed this issue seriously already knows that there's really no way around the need for new revenue. To get our troubled system back on track - a necessary step toward revitalizing our overall economy - it won't be enough just to cut or consolidate (although we have to do that, too). If we want roads, highways, transit, rail and bus services that can support a 21st Century economy, then we have to pay for them - and raising tolls and T fares is neither the smart way to do it nor an adequate way to meet the need." One of the Mayor's constituents pointed out in a private conversation: "Here in Somerville I pay income tax, real estate tax, gas tax, excise tax, sales tax and what do I get: free schools and libraries, police and fire protection, clean streets, emergency services, parks and open space, health care for my neighbors who don't have enough, the knowledge that the plumber or electrician or doctor I go see is licensed, plus other city and state services that I am perfectly happy to rely on to maintain the quality of life that we think is essential to live in civilization." |
While this debate is really about what kind of government we want and how should we pay for it most of the press including the Globe only seem to cover the anti gas tax outrage, which usually boils down to "I'm not ready to support the roads and bridges my family and community depend on". And they express outrage by organizing 25, count them 25, folk to stand in front of the state house asking taxicabs to honk against a gas tax increase. (duh) Reading that article this morning prompted me to mutter "The Governor and Secretary Aloisi are playing their roles pretty well so far, trying to energize some public support, and where is it?" " This is the answer I got from my good friend " Where are the supporters of the Governor's plan? I'll tell you where they are. Diddling around on the sidelines while our infrastructure crumbles." Yuk. crossposted in ONE Massachusetts |
