Tarr, GOP Introduce Transportation Bill Alternative

After the House passed a $500 million transportation finance bill with tax hikes on gasoline and cigarettes, Senate Republicans have introduced an alternative bill.

The bill -- S. 1766 -- is titled "An Act Relative to Transportation Finance" and focuses on reforms and cost savings.

"Transportation and education are two of the most important functions that government must provide at a high premium, but it must be delivered responsibly without burdening the backbone of our economy; the middle class," Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr, who represents North Andover, said Wednesday.

The bill promises: 

• No increase in taxes.

• Prioritization and appropriation of gaming revenue.

• Meeting immediate transportation needs to reach a state of good repair for the Commonwealth’s infrastructure.

• Requiring performance and savings prior to spending additional funds.

• Requiring the remaining $6 billion in savings projected from 2009 transportation bill to be captured.

• Making available $2.031 billion over the next 5-years for transportation, education, and other priorities.

• Creating five-year planning timeframes for capital expenditures.

"The Senate Republican Caucus has headed the words of the Commonwealth’s citizenship, and has worked diligently to propose an alternative plan to the tax-and-spend measures currently flooding the legislature," Tarr said. "There is more than one way to deliver a world class transportation system, and we believe that these measures should be the discussion."