Tomorrow, Massachusetts voters will face many important choices when they walk into the voting booth, including the election of a new governor. All of the offices and issues on the 2014 ballot are critical. However, the outcome of one ballot question in particular will directly impact both the safety of the commonwealth as well as our economic potential.
Question 1, if passed, would eliminate more than $1 billion over the next 10 years to repair our aging and rapidly deteriorating roads, bridges and highways. The business community stands united in urging Massachusetts to vote “no” on Question 1.
The risks posed by our aging infrastructure are well-documented. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than half of the bridges in Massachusetts are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Furthermore, one out of every five roads in the state is rated as being in poor condition. Question 1 threatens to prevent further progress on addressing these serious maintenance and repair needs.
Moreover, while proponents of Question 1 claim to be looking out for the pocketbooks of Massachusetts drivers, their arguments are misleading and shortsighted. The revenue that Question 1 would eliminate would cost the average Massachusetts driver less than $5 each year. Meanwhile, a recent report commissioned by TRIP, a national transportation research group, found that poor road and bridge conditions cost Massachusetts motorists a total of $8.3 billion statewide annually, as much as $1,900 per driver. This significant cost is attributable to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion-related delays. Even more alarming, this same report noted that poor road conditions and design are a contributing factor in one third of all roadway fatalities in the state. Five dollars per year is not insignificant, but it is a small price to pay in order to deal with this real crisis.
The consequences of gas tax indexing repeal are real and they are significant; the outcome of this ballot question will impact both the safety and the day to day quality of life for virtually everyone in the commonwealth, and it will hinder our ability to grow our economy to its full potential. For these reasons, the business community is proud to be part of a coalition of more than 100 members opposing Question 1. We are in good company; AAA of Southern New England, mayors from across the state, public health and safety professionals are all united in urging a “no” vote. A coalition this large doesn’t agree on much, but we do think that the vote on Question 1 should be an easy choice. I urge readers to make sure to get to the polls tomorrow and say no to bad roads and bridges by voting “no” on the question of repealing the gas tax’s inflation adjustment. Massachusetts can do better.
Rick Dimino is the president and CEO of A Better City.
