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Massachusetts like many other states is facing massive revenue shortfalls in the next year.  A proposal to raise state gas tax as a means of making up the difference is being rejected by Representative David Flynn, the Dean of the House.  Flynn refuses to support such a measure until alternative options, such as legalizing slot machines, have at least been considered.

On Beacon Hill the gas tax argument is really starting to stick and gain momentum.  Governor Deval Patrick has promoted a gas tax hike as a better alternative to raising tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike.  Revenue short falls in Massachusetts are large and looming in spite of the fact that the state made $1.4 billion budget cuts in January and $1 billion more are still expected to be trimmed of the budget this month.

Representative Flynn is fully aware of the fund shortage but says he refuses to support any form of tax increase until his bill that would bring slot machines to Massachusetts at least gets a hearing.   

“For years I have filed and re-filed my legislation to legalize 10,000 slot machines within the Commonwealth,” said Flynn.  Flynn is also the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets.

“Yet every year it doesn’t get the serious attention it deserves, and every year we instead go after the taxpayer.” 

If Flynn’s bill were passed into law each of the four racetracks in Massachusetts would be allowed to operate 2,500 slot machines.  Slot machines could be a means to generate much needed revenue in the state without raising taxes on residents.

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