GOP Protests Gas Tax

I was delighted to read that MassGOP, under the direction of newly-elected Chair Jennifer Nassour, held a gas tax protest in front of the State House this past Wednesday. By keeping the GOP visible and up front, Ms. Nassour demonstrates the Party's relevance and involvement with real issues that affect peoples' daily lives. With the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority voting increases in the tolls, Ms. Nassour's gas tax demonstration was not only pertinent but also timely. Word from the Turnpike Authority is that the higher tolls are provisional and that their continued existence will be based on the outcome of the amount of the gas tax. Since when have raised fees been lowered?

The T & G gave the Republican protest some good press on p.1 of Thursday's edition, as did The Boston Globe in the "Metro Section" on p.B4. The Globe also included an OpEd piece from the Dukakis Center that spoke in favor of the gas tax, indicating we either pay now or pay later and that if roads projects are delayed, the costs not only for construction but also to individual car owners will be higher.

Jen Nassour deserves to be commended for taking the leadership role in organizing last Wednesday's gas tax protest. She appears to be making a good start as GOP Chair.

Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.A1, "Drivers jeer gas tax hike" by Glen Johnson of the Associated Press
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090226/NEWS/902260636

The Boston Globe, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.B4, "Patrick says he's flexible on size of gas tax hike" by Noah Bierman and Matt A. Viser
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/26/patrick_says_hes_flexible_on_size_of_gas_tax_hike/


The Boston Globe, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, p.A15, "Gas tax: Paying cents to save big bucks" by Barry Bluestone and Stephanie Pollack
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/02/26/gas_tax_paying_cents_to_save_big_bucks/

Telegram & Gazette, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, "Mass. drivers faceTurnpike toll increase" by Glen Johnson, AP political writer
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090224/APN/902241574