Republican lawmakers went on the offensive against Gov. Deval Patrick’s tax proposals Thursday, saying Massachusetts residents are being presented with the Democrats’ “false choices” of increased taxes and tolls vs. an economic crisis of crumbling highways and limited state services.

“We are tired of this argument being painted as if increasing the gas tax and raising the tolls are our only solutions,” said Rep. Karyn Polito, R-Shrewsbury, following a State House press conference. “When the only choices presented amount to asking for more money from our citizens, there is no choice at all.”

Republicans expressed disappointment following a Tuesday vote by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board for a $100 million toll hike, saying that Democratic leadership seemed to be interested more in revenue than reform.

Minority party leaders also noted a recent string of taxes on fuel, hotel and meals, and candy, soda and alcohol taxes as a way of avoiding necessary reforms and reducing government spending during a time of financial crisis.

“Reform seems to get put to the back burner, if it makes the stove at all,” said House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, R-Reading, citing the cigarette tax and licensing fees.

Republican lawmakers also criticized the governor for taking two years to submit a transportation bill.

Rep. George Peterson, R-Westborough, noted that if reform legislation had been passed during the Romney administration nearly five years ago, the Turnpike would have avoided the current threat of financial ruin.

“If that had happened, we would not be looking at higher tolls today,” said Peterson.

Patrick submitted his transportation reform bill on Tuesday, which includes a 19-cent increase on the state’s 23.5-cent gasoline tax along with significant efficiency-driven reforms that the governor said would reduce the bureaucracy within the transportation department.

The criticisms by Republicans left a bitter taste for many Democrats.

“We’re now dealing with 16 years of inaction by Republican governors,” said freshman Rep. Kate Hogan, D-Bolton. “They did not take care of public buildings, universities, roads and bridges, and now they’re criticizing a plan that has taken 16 months to develop.”

MetroWest legislators have generally supported a gas tax increase over toll hikes.

The Turnpike Authority’s board has given tentative approval to a plan to nearly double tolls for commuters coming into Boston from the western suburbs.

Patrick has said he would not support increases in both tolls and the gas tax. He said Wednesday he would veto legislation that did not involve “adequate” reform.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, said he was hopeful that the Legislature would address the transportation issue next month, but many lawmakers are concerned they will not have enough time to pass legislation before the toll hikes go into effect.

Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, said state government did not have sufficient revenue to wait for long.

“We should squeeze out every nickel and dime we have in the budget,” said Linsky. “But at the end of the day, the state has $20 billion in unmet transportation and infrastructure needs, and there needs to be some revenue source to pay for it.”

The Legislature has scheduled four regional hearings throughout the state, beginning next week, to discuss plans presented by Senate leadership and the governor for transportation reform and financing.

The MetroWest Daily News

Photo by Matt Stone

Hidden deep inside Gov. Deval Patrick’s new plan is a fine-print provision linking the gas tax rate to yearly inflation-fueled hikes in the consumer price index, guaranteeing Bay State drivers will keep getting hosed at the pump long after he leaves the Corner Office.

Patrick announced yesterday he wants to boost the gas tax by a whopping 19 cents, upping the state tax from 23.5 to 42.5 cents and bringing $600 million into state coffers. But in a little-noticed provision tucked inside his proposal, the gas tax would automatically grow each year by the same percentage as the rise in consumer prices.

“I can’t wait to see how this plays when we get into double-digit inflation,” said Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation. “The public response to this should be, ‘No, not until we get the reforms.’ ”

The $787 billion federal stimulus is expected to goose inflation by as much 2.5 percent a year, even if the economy bounces back, said Mark Zandy of Moody’s economy.com.

“There is some concern that it will accelerate in 2011 and 2012,” said Zandy, meaning state taxpayers could be hit by a double whammy – ever-growing hikes in both consumer prices and the gas tax.

Patrick said yesterday that his proposed gas tax increase would avert an unpopular toll hike, but he intends to leave all tollbooths on the Mass Pike in place – in sharp contrast to his earlier pledge to take down those west of Route 128. He’s also reportedly seeking to put tolls on the border.

Patrick yesterday argued the current increase would cost the average resident only $8 a month, or the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

“It’s clear to me that there is political risk in these proposals,” Patrick said. “Our long-term job growth and economic security . . . depend on both major reforms and new revenue now.”

Both Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray declined to address the consumer price link, saying they needed to study it more. But one Republican lawmaker predicted an ever-expanding gas tax would be dead on arrival in the Legislature.

“I don’t think this will have a lot of support,” said Sen. Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield) “It’s a pretty insatiable appetite as far as looking at sources of revenue.”

Christy Mihos, who is considering challenging Patrick again in 2010, said he sold off his Cape Cod-based gas stations to Hess earlier this month because the state was too hostile to small businesses.

“I think it’s going to be very difficult for Deval Patrick to be re-elected after this,” Mihos said. “It just makes it very difficult for small businesses to flourish in the commonwealth.”

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1153598