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.