Politics & Government

Legislators Override Gov. Patrick's Transportation Bill Veto

A $500 million tax hike has been voted into law for future state transportation needs.

By Bret Silverberg

State lawmakers have voted to override a recent veto of a transportation bill that Gov. Deval Patrick does not feel will cover costs into the future.

According to a Massachusetts State House News Service tweet Wednesday, the state Senate and House have passed the plan, which will increase gas tax by 3 cents to 24 cents per gallon, add a $1 per-pack cigarette tax and add a 6.25 percent sales tax on computer system design services for state transportation infrastructure needs. The plan also forestalls potential service cuts and fare hikes for the MBTA.

The tweet from @StateHouseNews: “TAX HIKE FINALIZED: Senate (35-5) follows House (123-33) to complete veto override, pass $500 mil tax hike for transportation.

State and House legislators have been going back and forth with Patrick for months on the terms of the bill. Patrick vetoed the bill July 19 saying he foresaw need to increase taxing due to the possibility that the western Massachusetts Turnpike tolls could be taken down in 2017.

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