A Massachusetts lawmaker has proposed a bill that would enact tolls on major highways like Interstate 93, Route 128 and Route 3.
State Rep. Brian Murray, a Democrat from Milford, filed legislation in January seeking to install electronic tolling systems on other major roadways.
Murray said that the bill was only meant as a way to start a discussion. He said it's not fair that the Massachusetts Turnpike is the state's only toll road, forcing drivers in the central and western part of the state to subsidize state highways.
"So not just the western Mass. drivers and the central Mass drivers are footing the bill for the bulk of the transportation costs," Murray explained.
Massachusetts drivers have mixed opinions on Murray's proposal. Joseph Harfoush, a livery driver, says the current tolls are really starting to add up on the Mass Turnpike.
"What happened to the discussion they wanted to take the tolls away," Harfoush asked.
He said dealing with even more tolls on other state highways would dip into his profits.
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"If it essentially makes the costs about the same to use all the highways and they are just redistributing it, then that sounds like a pretty good plan to me,” said driver Jessica Brady.
Chip Faulkner with Advocacy Group Citizen’s for Limited Taxation says the bill won’t pass.
"Whether you call them tolls, taxes, whatever, it is just a scheme for more revenue for the state which is already overspending anyway," Faulker said.
Murray admits there are still some roadblocks and that his proposal is still in the early phase. He also says he is open to more input before it goes to the transportation committee.
