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Author	Topic: Former Mass. Transportation Secretary Urges Bold Changes To Transit Funding	Post a Reply Back to Topics

bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,172 Points:1,300,170 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 2:08:18 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse BOSTON — By Monday, Massachusetts transportation officials must come up with a plan to put the state’s roads, bridges and rails on the right track. Official estimates show the state could need up to $1 billion a year in new revenue to meet highway and mass transit needs. Former Transportation Secretary James Aloisi said the state needs to make dramatic changes to invest in transportation, such as increasing the state gas tax or implementing a vehicle miles traveled tax. He recently outlined these and several other funding recommendations for CommonWealth Magazine. “People need to come to grips with a few realities,” Aloisi said about accepting an increased state gas tax, which has not been raised since 1991. Aloisi knows it’s a tough sell. It’s one he tried, and ultimately failed, to m Visit NPR for full article

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BOSTON — By Monday, Massachusetts transportation officials must come up with a plan to put the state’s roads, bridges and rails on the right track.

Official estimates show the state could need up to $1 billion a year in new revenue to meet highway and mass transit needs.

Former Transportation Secretary James Aloisi said the state needs to make dramatic changes to invest in transportation, such as increasing the state gas tax or implementing a vehicle miles traveled tax. He recently outlined these and several other funding recommendations for CommonWealth Magazine.

“People need to come to grips with a few realities,” Aloisi said about accepting an increased state gas tax, which has not been raised since 1991.

Aloisi knows it’s a tough sell. It’s one he tried, and ultimately failed, to m
Visit NPR for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,047 Points:703,105 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 11:29:18 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Fix 'em
APlus Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,923 Points:993,170 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 7:52:47 AM Ignore APlus Report Abuse States need to use FUEL taxes strictly for roads. Most states place fuel/vechicle tax income in general revenue which is used for many other divisions of government and not mainly road. Once that happens - all transportation tax revenue is only used for roads and mantainance, transportation - then show us the tax payer that you need new taxes. Right now most of the car/fuel/transportation revenue is being used for social programs - like schools, medical, jail, cops, etc. If you spent the money where it is supposed to be used and find ways to raise tax revenues for those other programs - go for it! Do not add more taxes to all the drivers - just because you can...!!!!
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,768 Points:593,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2013 7:05:00 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse No thanks
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,092 Points:799,180 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 11:50:59 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse If they get that tax increase it won't be spent on roads and they will need more taxes again. Same song over and over.
ktbaeohana Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,311 Points:422,975 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 4:27:09 PM Ignore ktbaeohana Report Abuse watch and see.
danindenver Champion Author Denver Posts:5,494 Points:1,240,410 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 4:18:19 PM Ignore danindenver Report Abuse "No wonder MA residents need medical marijuana!" funny "Any ... tax ... should assure that the collected funds can only be used to maintain and improve this vital infrastructure" Most people would wholeheartedly agree with you and, indeed, many people think that this is actually the way that taxes work. Social Security in the proverbial "lockbox" and all. NHLiveFree, might I respectfully submit that many, including those who elected our current president are living in a fantasy world. Social Security now goes into a slush fund to pay for your congressperson's favorite re-election promises. And, indeed, all of our money and freedoms are at risk when we freely give them away to others with vague promises to do what is best for us. Of course I agree that fuel taxes should be used to pay for roads. But, where does it stop?
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,105 Points:1,624,380 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 3:38:18 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Making the state gas tax a simple percentage of the retail sale price of gasoline and diesel fuel is long overdue. Any change in the fuel tax for highway and public transit funding should assure that the collected funds can only be used to maintain and improve this vital infrastructure. No adjustments since 1991 is incredible in a state that applied a 'temporary' surcharge to the 5% state income tax that has never gone away. No wonder MA residents need medical marijuana!
grt197 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:588 Points:128,510 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 9:19:15 AM Ignore grt197 Report Abuse may be need more taxes
OHIO50 All-Star Author Denver Posts:881 Points:1,021,725 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 9:09:44 AM Ignore OHIO50 Report Abuse Fix the roads.
peabeax55 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:713 Points:185,515 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 8:52:59 AM Ignore peabeax55 Report Abuse This is another reason people will be leaving Taxachusetts in droves like they are leaving California.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,347 Points:746,650 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 8:28:56 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Democrats. All they want is to raise taxes. never cut spending
Peachy1 All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:787 Points:1,653,165 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 7:56:43 AM Ignore Peachy1 Report Abuse No,this major idiot needs to come to terms and know that he cannot tax the people to death. How do you SQUEEZE juice from a turnip?? There is no $$$. I think he should seriously consider funding this project...GREAT IDEA!!
Evilmaddog Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,332 Points:959,500 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 7:53:32 AM Ignore Evilmaddog Report Abuse can u say TAXES
daytonabiker All-Star Author Florida Posts:929 Points:203,770 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 6:29:12 AM Ignore daytonabiker Report Abuse New taxes are not the answer for government, we need business people to run this country and not dumekofts,lawyers,politicians
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,195 Points:1,119,815 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 5:38:19 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Jack up the tax!
APlus Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,923 Points:993,170 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 4:33:53 AM Ignore APlus Report Abuse Why not use current tax revenue properly - removing waste, fraud and corruption rather than keep trying to raise taxes and costs of driving?
RNCII Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,484 Points:644,770 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 4:02:20 AM Ignore RNCII Report Abuse Right on pricewar. Enough already with more taxes.
pricewar Champion Author Ogden Posts:1,955 Points:277,165 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 3:31:35 AM Ignore pricewar Report Abuse Except the fact that the people do not have any money To pay more taxes. We are taxed out.... Do you hear us load and clear!!!
agoodman4ever All-Star Author Dallas Posts:739 Points:248,280 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 2:47:53 AM Ignore agoodman4ever Report Abuse do that