Gov. Charlie Baker will veto miles traveled tax pilot program
A price per gallon of $1.99 posted at the Irving station
at St. James Avenue and and Tapley Street in Springfield.
(JIM KINNEY/ THE REPUBLICAN)
Beacon Hill
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"We've already said that we don't support the vehicle miles traveled tax, and we're going to veto that section of the bill," Baker said Tuesday.
On the last day of the legislative session, the Legislature sent Baker a bill that would provide $50 million for a financing program for small bridges and a $750 million bond authorization for highway project funding, although most of the highway money would be reimbursed by the federal government. It would also make some administrative changes to the state's Complete Streets program, which gives municipalities grants to design streets in ways that accommodate cars, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit.
The bill also directs the administration to apply for federal funding to test a new tax on drivers based on miles traveled.
Massachusetts
could apply for federal funding to test whether to implement a tax on
vehicle miles traveled under a provision that state senators inserted
into a road and bridge funding bill.
Supporters of the pilot program say this is a way to continue to raise money to fund transportation infrastructure, as cars become more efficient and use less gas. Opponents say lawmakers are unlikely to repeal the gas tax and will simply tax residents more.
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