If you haven’t been following the news, Deval Patrick made a plan in January to create large improvements to the MBTA, as well as to roads and bridges around the state. This would include Commuter Rail service to Hyannis, funding for the Green Line extension to West Medford, and a massive expansion of South Station (among others). To carry out this plan, there would be tax hikes to get the money, such as raising income tax, sales tax, or putting tolls on major interstate highways.

Evidently, the legislature thought this was a hefty sum, so they suggested a less extreme plan. It would raise cigarette and gas taxes to eliminate debt on the state’s transportation system and the MBTA. However, this would mean only half of Deval Patrick’s plans would be implemented. Patrick said he would veto the $500 million bill. Now his relationship with the legislature is uneasy as they enter a debate about the plan on Monday. What’s especially interesting is that Patrick and the legislature are in the same political party. We’ll see what happens in terms of the plan on Monday. For the full article, click here.