State Rep. Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough, voted against, while Rep. Harold Naughton, D-Clinton, voted for the transporation bill that recently passed through the House.
Denying higher taxes for projects communities can pay for on their own was Gregoire's reason for voting against the bill.
"I was hearing overwhelmingly that now is not the time for tax increases," said Gregoire, who represents the 4th Middlesex District, which covers Marlborough, Northborough and Westborough.
Naughton, who represents 12th Worcester District, which includes parts of Northborough, said he believed that the House’s Transportation Bill "provides a much more reasonable and responsible plan than that proposed by the Administration, without unfairly burdening taxpayers in my district."
Northborough would receive $713,511, which is $237,837 more than last year in Chapter 90 (local roads and bridges) funds.
The bill was voted through the house at lesser levels than proposed by Governor Deval Patrick, but would still have resulted in a three cent increase in the gas tax and an increased tobacco tax, according to an article from Boston.com. While the bill was passed, at 97-55, it was shy of the margin needed to override a veto by Gov. Patrick, who said the bill doesn't do enough to fix the state's infrastructure, according to the article.
Under the governor's proposed transportation funding, the 4th Middlsex District would have received more than an additional $12 million over the next 10 years.
- Marlborough — $5.7 million
- Northborough — $2.4 million
- Westborough — $4.1 million
Gregoire said she sees the need for investment in roads and bridges, but that many communities are sitting on money that could be put forward to these projects. Many municipalities can fund these projects, she said explaining that she understands that some communities in the state do not have these additional resources.
"I have respect for my colleagues that voted the other way," she said.
One of those colleagues was Naughton.
"The House version will allow local and state government to address the serious
transportation problems within our Commonwealth as well as provide municipalities more funding for local improvements without laying heavy burdens on the taxpayer," said Naughton. "With the House’s plan, the Commonwealth will raise $500 million in new revenue that will be put
towards improving our roads and bridges. The plan also requires the MBTA to be more self sufficient and provide for its own expenses."
Naughton added that the transportation plan allows for $300 million to be allocated toward Chapter 90 (local road) funds.
"This is a $100 million increase over FY2012 and FY2013 amounts," said Naughton. "The town of Northborough alone would receive $713,511.00, which is $237,837 more than the town received last fiscal year. The increase in Chapter 90 funding will allow for municipalities, such as Northborough, to make critical repairs and improvements on local roads and bridges.
"To have not acted on these pressing needs would have been irresponsible. Yet we still need to be cognizant of the effects of a continuing weak economy on our constituents and use every tax dollar to its utmost utility. Transportation infrastructure is an economic driver and this plan lays the foundation for future economic success.”