Rep Gordon: House Transportation Finance Bill Was Not Perfect but Best Option

The Massachusetts House approved a transportation finance bill that will raise about $500 million in new taxes, according to Boston.com. 21st Middlesex District State Rep Kenneth Gordon voted in favor of the bill.

The House voted 97 to 55 to approve the bill Monday after debating for about 10 hours, Boston.com said.

Gov. Deval Patrick had put forward his own bill that called for nearly $2 billion in new revenue, including a hike in the state income tax, to pay for investments in transportation and education, Boston.com said.

The alternative of Patrick's bill, which would have been a bigger tax increase than what the state representatives approved was a big reason Gordon voted to approve the bill, he told Patch in an interview.

"I heard from constituents in Burlington that they were against a tax increase," he said. "I thought a "no" vote would cause a situation that would result in more taxes, so I assessed the risk. It was a difficult vote to take and it was certainly very far from a perfect bill."

Gordon said that aside from the fact that it would raise $500 million in new taxes, the house bill also lacked some things he would have liked to see included.

"On the other hand, I would also have liked to have seen a more specific plan to address the public transportation needs," he said. "I've been working hard with Secretary [and Chief Executive Officer of MassDOT" Davy and Sen. Donnelly on the issue. I would have liked to see a plan in the bill but it wasn't there."

"It was in the governor's bill but that is more expensive," he added. "All in all this is a better situation for Burlington and the rest of the district."

Gordon said he also did not agree with the elimination of 44 tax deductions used by residents that was part of the governor's plan.

"Scholarships would also have been taxed and I'm not comfortable with that," he said. "Capital gains on the sale of a home, which is often the biggest investment people have, would also have been taxed. There were elements that I thought were too tough.

"It was a decision I knew that would not be perfect, but I thought it was the best one for our district," he added about voting in favor of the house bill.