Arciero Votes No on Proposed Gas, Cigarette Tax

Joining 25 other Democrats as well as all of Massachusetts' Republican state representatives, State Representative James Arciero voted against a bill on Monday night slated to provide funding improvements for transportation across the state.

“I voted against this transportation tax proposal because it hits our commuting workforce particularly hard, raises the overall transportation costs on goods and products made by Massachusetts companies, and I fear will drive even more economic activity over the border to New Hampshire,” said Arciero.

Designed to appropriate $500 million, the bill specifies raising the state's gas tax by 3 cents ($110 million), raising the cigarette tax by $1 a pack ($165 million), updating tax codes on "canned software" and computer systems ($161 million) and changing the tax status of utility companies ($83 million).

The bill passed 97-55, short of the two-third majority needed to avoid a promised veto from the governor, who has offered a plan of lowering the sales tax and raising income taxes to address transportation funding concerns.

According to the Associated Press, the bill took 10 hours of debate, concluding a process that included 101 amendments.