Maura Healey’s gas tax proposal is facing criticism from her left — and her right.
Boston City Councilor Sharon Durkan voted against a resolution supporting the governor’s plan Wednesday. Nine councilors voted for it and three voted present.
Durkan, who has said she doesn't own a car, was the only no vote. She called Healey’s proposal “extremely reactive” and “fiscally irresponsible,” the Boston Herald reported. Durkan said the state should use its tax money for schools and transportation instead.
Progressive state Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) also questioned the timing. He said he was “really shocked” to see Healey back a gas tax holiday days after Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue proposed one.
“To me, it comes across as a bit gimmicky to suspend the gas tax in an election year,” Eldridge told The Boston Globe.
Healey filed legislation Wednesday to suspend the state’s 24-cent-per-gallon tax on gas and diesel for two months. Her administration estimates the gas tax holiday would cost $120 million. It wants to replace that money with surplus revenue from the tax on incomes above $1 million.
Minogue says two months is too short. His plan would suspend the gas tax whenever gas costs more than $4 a gallon and keep it suspended until prices fall below that mark.
“Why only two months? To get through the election?” Minogue asked, as State House News Service reported.
Transportation advocates have a different complaint.
Pete Wilson of Transportation for Massachusetts told WBUR that using the surplus tax money for a gas tax break would leave less for transportation. He also said cheaper gas could encourage more driving and emissions.
Lizzi Weyant, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, told the Globe she was surprised Healey would consider a move that could take money from transportation investments.
Healey says her plan would give drivers relief without cutting funding already set aside for roads and public transit.
The Massachusetts Legislature, which has historically supported increasing the gas tax, would have to approve her proposal for it to take effect.
