Representative Don Humason



ANTI GAS TAX By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. February 14, 2009 This was a bad week if you are a resident, motorist, or taxpayer left in Massachusetts. I was reminded of an old “Ziggy” cartoon from years ago showing Ziggy watching television. Coming from the TV news announcer was a bubble saying, “And now, some bad news for those of you who own dollars!” Governor Patrick, in an effort to make up for a shortfall in the current state budget due to declining revenues from a bad economy, filed an Emergency Recovery Bill that contained $193 million in 9C cuts, spent another $327 million from the rainy day fund, and relied heavily on the anticipated Federal Stimulus Bill (to the tune of $533 million). His bill was noticeably short on real cuts or reforms to Massachusetts government. Worse still, it contained nu merous tax and fee increases. It adds a sales tax for candy, soda, beer & wine, and new taxes for telecommunications, hotel stays, and meals. I was always taught that the worst time to increase taxes was during a recession. Nothing kills economic recovery quicker. On top of that, Patrick floated his plan to raise the state gas tax by 29 cents to 52.5 cents per gallon. That would top New York State’s 41.3 cents per gallon to become the highest gas tax in the nation. Currently, Massachusetts motorists pay a 23.5 cent per gallon state gas tax and another 19 cents per gallon federal gas tax. His proposal blindsided lawmakers. I serve on the Committee on Transportation and the Special Committee on Transportation convened by former Speaker Sal DiMasi. We have been meeting to discuss options for tackling the Bay State’s broken transportation infrastructure. But we were caught by surprise. More disturbing was his proposal to raise additional revenue by using chips implanted in motor vehicle inspection stickers so government bureaucrats can track drivers in what’s called “open road tolling.” That kind of “Big Brother” scheme should scare us all to death. For the record, I am 100% opposed to any increase in the state gasoline tax. I agree with the Sen ate when they say “reform before revenue!” Nor would I ever support any government technology that would allow motorists to be tracked against their will. Surely the Governor has noticed that gasoline prices are increasing again across the state. They’re up again for the fourth week in a row, nearing $2 a gallon. We all know gasoline prices rise when the driving season arrives with better weather. Does he not remember the crippling $4.35 per gallon prices from last summer? Hasn&rsq uo;t he heard that the Obama Administration is considering an increase in the federal gasoline tax? As a Western Massachusetts Representative, I see no benefit whatsoever to my constituents. The Governor’s proposal states the increased gas tax revenue would go to eliminate the tolls on the Mass Pike, reduce tolls in the Big Dig tunnels for Boston drivers, build more commuter rail in Eastern Massachusetts, help MassPort, and bail out the MBTA. I told fellow committee members that government has a huge credibility problem among the public who are sick of seeing current gas tax money wasted or diverted for non transportation purposes. And I said Western Massachusetts is tired of being milked as Boston’s cash cow. Our roads and bridges are crumbling. We have to travel greater distances to get to work or school and we have few public transportation options compared to the cities. I have been de luged by calls and emails from panicked constituents asking how the Governor expects them to be able to afford or absorb these huge tax increases. One friend of mine who owns a gas station in Southwick told me Connecticut drivers now come to his station to fill up but that would change should this increase pass. He said at those prices he would have to close. Other business people say that a “highest in the nation” gas tax would put them out of business. I agree. So I will oppose any increase i n the gas tax and work with my colleagues to find another way. I would rather see tolls replaced on Mass Pike exits 1-6 and maintained across the state. I would support tolls on the Interstate 93 North-South, whose drivers actually use the Big Dig. It’s not all bad news. Noble Hospital was awarded $900,000 in Essential Community Provider Funds from the state. The fund wa s created in the state budget several years ago to help important health care providers across the state that are of vital importance in the communities they serve. Senator Mike Knapik and I have been advocating for Noble to receive an appropriation each year since then. February 12 was the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Our16th President, the first to be elected as a member of the Republican Party, is most remembered for presiding over America during the bloody Civil War and for his unyielding belief that the Union should b e preserved. He died on April 15, 1865, a day after being shot in the back of the head by assassin John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC. On a happier note, February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife Janice and all you romantics out there. * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
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ANTI GAS TAX

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

February 14, 2009

This was a bad week if you are a resident, motorist, or taxpayer left in Massachusetts.

I was reminded of an old “Ziggy” cartoon from years ago showing Ziggy watching television. Coming from the TV news announcer was a bubble saying, “And now, some bad news for those of you who own dollars!”

Governor Patrick, in an effort to make up for a shortfall in the current state budget due to declining revenues from a bad economy, filed an Emergency Recovery Bill that contained $193 million in 9C cuts, spent another $327 million from the rainy day fund, and relied heavily on the anticipated Federal Stimulus Bill (to the tune of $533 million).

His bill was noticeably short on real cuts or reforms to Massachusetts government. Worse still, it contained nu merous tax and fee increases. It adds a sales tax for candy, soda, beer & wine, and new taxes for telecommunications, hotel stays, and meals. I was always taught that the worst time to increase taxes was during a recession. Nothing kills economic recovery quicker.

On top of that, Patrick floated his plan to raise the state gas tax by 29 cents to 52.5 cents per gallon. That would top New York State’s 41.3 cents per gallon to become the highest gas tax in the nation. Currently, Massachusetts motorists pay a 23.5 cent per gallon state gas tax and another 19 cents per gallon federal gas tax.

His proposal blindsided lawmakers. I serve on the Committee on Transportation and the Special Committee on Transportation convened by former Speaker Sal DiMasi. We have been meeting to discuss options for tackling the Bay State’s broken transportation infrastructure. But we were caught by surprise.

More disturbing was his proposal to raise additional revenue by using chips implanted in motor vehicle inspection stickers so government bureaucrats can track drivers in what’s called “open road tolling.” That kind of “Big Brother” scheme should scare us all to death.

For the record, I am 100% opposed to any increase in the state gasoline tax. I agree with the Sen ate when they say “reform before revenue!” Nor would I ever support any government technology that would allow motorists to be tracked against their will.

Surely the Governor has noticed that gasoline prices are increasing again across the state. They’re up again for the fourth week in a row, nearing $2 a gallon. We all know gasoline prices rise when the driving season arrives with better weather. Does he not remember the crippling $4.35 per gallon prices from last summer? Hasn&rsq uo;t he heard that the Obama Administration is considering an increase in the federal gasoline tax?

As a Western Massachusetts Representative, I see no benefit whatsoever to my constituents. The Governor’s proposal states the increased gas tax revenue would go to eliminate the tolls on the Mass Pike, reduce tolls in the Big Dig tunnels for Boston drivers, build more commuter rail in Eastern Massachusetts, help MassPort, and bail out the MBTA.

I told fellow committee members that government has a huge credibility problem among the public who are sick of seeing current gas tax money wasted or diverted for non transportation purposes. And I said Western Massachusetts is tired of being milked as Boston’s cash cow.

Our roads and bridges are crumbling. We have to travel greater distances to get to work or school and we have few public transportation options compared to the cities.

I have been de luged by calls and emails from panicked constituents asking how the Governor expects them to be able to afford or absorb these huge tax increases. One friend of mine who owns a gas station in Southwick told me Connecticut drivers now come to his station to fill up but that would change should this increase pass. He said at those prices he would have to close. Other business people say that a “highest in the nation” gas tax would put them out of business.

I agree. So I will oppose any increase i n the gas tax and work with my colleagues to find another way. I would rather see tolls replaced on Mass Pike exits 1-6 and maintained across the state. I would support tolls on the Interstate 93 North-South, whose drivers actually use the Big Dig.

It’s not all bad news. Noble Hospital was awarded $900,000 in Essential Community Provider Funds from the state. The fund wa s created in the state budget several years ago to help important health care providers across the state that are of vital importance in the communities they serve. Senator Mike Knapik and I have been advocating for Noble to receive an appropriation each year since then.

February 12 was the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Our16th President, the first to be elected as a member of the Republican Party, is most remembered for presiding over America during the bloody Civil War and for his unyielding belief that the Union should b e preserved. He died on April 15, 1865, a day after being shot in the back of the head by assassin John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC.

On a happier note, February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife Janice and all you romantics out there.

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org