Today's Globe describes support for a bailout of the MBTA. It states bailout supporters outnumber opponents in Eastern Mass. It only deals transferring money from other state accounts for a one year fix. Buried deep in the story they reveal the poll didn't ask about support for increased taxes. You can be sure when the legislature begins discussing a gas tax increase in January this poll will be cited by supporters of higher taxes anyway.
The story does point out that in central and western mass for a T bailout is not popular. But the Department of Transportation budget is also a mess. Expect a push for a big tax increase to bail out both agencies. Remember all stories about the T budget mention this discussion will occur after the new legislature is seated in January. At that point the next election will be 2 years away. Also that is the time of year when gas prices are lower than it is during the summer.
My position is I will oppose any increase in the gas tax. The T and entire state transportation must be reformed not just be given a blank check by the legislature.
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