FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: REP. DON HUMASON
HOUSE LEADERS GUT GOP EFFORT TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES A Republican effort to exempt cities and towns from having to pay the 21-cent state gas tax was squashed by the House leadership today, delaying much-needed financial relief for local communities. The proposal, filed as a budget amendment by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., could have saved cities and towns close to $10 million a year. The plan was co-sponsored by Representative Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative. “It is extremely disappointing that a majority of my colleagues in the House chose to snub cities and towns by denying them this relatively small financial break,” said Jones, R-North Reading. “I sincerely hope that this begrudging attitude toward our communities is not an indicator of how the rest of the budget debate will play out. I know my Republican colleagues and I will continue to fight for cities and towns every step of the way.” “As fuel prices spike my constituents are really feeling the pinch,” Humason said. “It makes zero sense for the state to charge cities and towns a tax on gasoline that goes into the General Fund so we can then pass relief legislation for cities and towns.” The Republicans’ proposal would have exempted cities and towns from paying the state gas tax when filling the tanks of municipal vehicles, including fire trucks, trash trucks, ambulances and police cruisers. “It isn’t easily quantifiable,” Humason said. “But anything that will save Westfield money, and therefore saves the citizens and taxpayers money, I want to vote for. It’s too bad the Leadership doesn’t.” * * * |