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Dean of the House, David Flynn has proposed that Massachusetts respond to their revenue shortfall by legalizing slot machines.  Unfortunately, slot machines are not getting any serious consideration on Beacon Hill.  Not surprising since the state has not taken kindly to the idea of slot machines in recent history.  A bill to legalize slot machines was approved by the Senate back in 2005, only to meet its overwhelming defeat in the House.

So, in the mean time Massachusetts is entertaining other disagreeable options like a tax hike on gas and a toll increase on the Massachusetts Turnpike.  An odd choice when slot machines could generate high revenue without added cost to residents.

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi has backed the gas tax hike as “a fairer way to share our costs.”  In this instance DiMasi was choosing higher gas prices over the alternative of raising tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike and the tunnels leading to Logan International Airport.

“I think a gas tax is necessary instead of tolls, and I understand that the governor said something similar today so hopefully we’re riding in the same car now,” said DiMasi. 

State gas tax currently stands at 23.5 cents a gallon and has been the same for almost twenty years.  The average gas tax around the nation is 30 cents.  Some believe that raising gas tax should be a part of a statewide transportation reform. 

Governor Deval Patrick once stood behind the idea of a increasing toll fares on the Massachusetts Turnpike, now however he seems set on the gas hike idea.  Flynn maintains there are other options to be explored if not slot machines.

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