Help Protest Mary Grant's Proposed Gas Tax Increase on Feb 19th at City Hall

Rep. Mary Grant has been identified as a co-sponsor of a bill that will raise the Massachusetts gasoline tax by 29 cents, more than doubling the current tax and giving Massachusetts the highest gas taxes in the nation. This tax increase would cost taxpayers in the Commonwealth nearly $1 billion every year.

This is a tax increase that will immediately impact households across the Commonwealth and would cost a family that purchases two 15 gallon tanks of gas per week over $450 a year. It would also be an enormous increase for small businesses such as landscaping companies, contractors, plumbers and electricians who rely on fleets of vehicles to run their businesses and drive the economy.

Grant's plan would eliminate existing tolls (though it would allow new ones to be built at the borders), but would not do anything to reform or consolidate the many transportation agencies in the state. There has been no explanation of how the 29 cent increase was determined.

This plan is very different than the bipartisan transportation reform bill which has been filed by the State Senate and endorsed by Senate GOP members. That bill is emphasizing 'reform before revenue.'

If you are interested in protesting this outrageous tax increase in front of Beverly City Hall this Thursday, February 19th from 5:30 to 7pm while Grant holds office hours at City Hall, please email info@beverlymassgop.com to get more information.

In the midst of the worst economic downturn in a lifetime, the last thing the Commonwealth needs is a $1 billion tax increase, most of which will be used to pay for the past mistakes of the MBTA and the Big Dig.