Bill > H3126

This bill proposes several changes to transportation financing and equity in Massachusetts, including increasing a specific tax rate from 21 to 49, establishing a transportation tax credit or exemption for low-income individuals and families, and dedicating portions of new gasoline tax revenues to the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) for debt reduction and capital maintenance, to cities and towns for road improvements (with a portion for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure), and to regional transit authorities. It also allocates funds for highway repairs and maintenance by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The bill would freeze existing Massachusetts Turnpike tolls until January 1, 2015, with immediate reinstatement of tolls at the last two interchanges and no tolls between 10 PM and 5 AM daily, while also directing the Department of Transportation to explore distance-based tolls on I-93 and open road tolling on other state roads, and mandating the use of similar electronic toll collection systems across all surface transportation agencies. Additionally, a portion of any tolls on the central artery and its tunnels will fund the maintenance of that project, and a state infrastructure bank will be established. Finally, cities and towns that accept the provisions can impose a tax of up to 10% on commercial parking lots and garages, with all revenue dedicated to transportation improvements, including at least 50% for cyclist and pedestrian amenities and connections around transit hubs.