Newton Reps Back Linsky Effort to Stop Toll Hike

Newton — Newton’s representatives at the State House are fighting the impending toll increase by proposing a gas tax.

Concerned about the added traffic the toll hike could redirect onto city streets, but also disturbed that the state’s transportation deficit would be levied on the backs of the city’s commuters, all four legislators are speaking out against the increase.

“I don’t believe those in [the MetroWest] part of the state should be taking on all the burdens of the Big Dig,” said state Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem, D-Newton. “Particularly, we in Newton are concerned about people using our streets to avoid the tolls.”

To close the state’s burgeoning debt, the Turnpike Authority voted on Nov. 14 to raise tolls in Weston and in Allston-Brighton from $1.25 to $2, and double the tolls for those traveling west through the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels.

For a daily commuter traveling from Route 128 into Boston, the increase would mean $15 more a week and $735 more a year.

But that added income doesn’t make much of a dent in the turnpike’s $2.2 billion deficit. According to state Rep. Kay Khan, D-Newton, the increased tolls would raise only about $100 million a year.

“Getting $100 million annually is not the answer we are looking for,” she said. “We need to figure out how to get rid of the debt and also move toward public transportation, but this is not the way.”

Instead, all four Newton legislators have expressed interest in a gas tax. They said a gas tax more equitably distributes the state’s financial debt over the people who use the roads. It’s also more likely that the state’s shortfall can be made up through a tax at the pump.

“I think a lot of people are hoping that some type of plan will come down that will negate the need for an increase in tolls,” said state Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Newton. “What I am trying to focus on is speaking with my constituents to find out where they stand on the issues. The great majority of callers are suggesting that a modest gas tax is more preferable to them than the sharp toll hike.”

State Rep. Ruth Balser, D-Newton, has noticed a similar response.

“I am hearing from more people in Newton who are in favor of a gas tax,” said Balser, who is expected to run for mayor in 2009. “And it’s unusual for people to propose any tax increase. Our gas tax has not been raised in a very long time, and I think we all need to chip in to be fair.”

Creem, who also said she would support a gas tax over a toll increase, expressed interest in introducing a semi-private partnership to lift the state out of debt, but does not yet know if the state has time to implement such a proposal or what form it would take.

None of Newton’s representatives have yet signed on to a bill to freeze the toll price proposed by Rep. Steven Walsh, D-Lynn, nor have they signed on to proposed legislation for a gas tax proposed by Natick state Rep. David Linsky.

Meanwhile, there’s a grassroots effort to undercut the Turnpike Authority’s planned increase. Organized by turnpike commuters, stopthepikehike.com has more than 3,000 names signed onto their effort and hope to have 7,000 more after their rally in East Boston on Dec. 3.

“We are asking that the legislature put together a better solution,” said director Spencer Kimball. “We are not talking about a quarter or 50 cents. This is a considerable amount.”

He added, “It’s almost unconscionable to think that you could charge someone $7 every time they leave Revere or East Boston. We are also very concerned that this is a slippery slope, and the state is putting a Band-Aid on the problem instead of giving it a cure.”

Mayor David Cohen, who was once a state representative, sent this message to his colleagues in the State House: “While I respect the economic challenges facing Governor Patrick and the legislature, I would urge state leaders to carefully study the impact a toll increase on the Pike would have before approving it. I am deeply concerned about the inevitable increase in vehicles on our city streets as commuters take local roads to avoid the rising costs of using the Mass. Pike. This would be an unfair burden on our citizens and on the infrastructure of our city.”

The state Legislature will wait until they return to session in January to respond formally to the turnpike’s decision. Meanwhile, the turnpike authority is hosting several hearings before taking a final vote in the New Year.

All four hearings are slated to run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The first hearing is in Boston on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Additional hearings are Monday, Dec. 15, in Lynn, Dec. 17 in Framingham, and Jan. 7 in Worcester.