Hang on.... the Pike Toll increases are now back in the news

Late today we get word from our friends at toll equity trust.

Please go to their web site for more details... http://www.tollequitytrust.com/
it's a lot easier to get to their e mail addresses from their web site if you choose to write them.

This was inevitable in most minds. The Big Hole dept and toll increases have taken a back seat to the sales tax increase. But as we all know, the amount of money needed to pay for the Big Hole will not be coming from a Sales Tax increase. More shell games to be played here in the coming weeks. July is right around the corner and the budget is supposed to be balanced. If you can and have time, write a note to those listed below and just state you want to keep the Toll Equity guarantee in the Transportation bill.

From the Salem News Report: "[Gov. Deval] Patrick shared the head table with state Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead. He praised her work on issues like the proposed toll hike. Nevertheless, commenting on a recent vote by the Legislature to increase the sales tax, Patrick hinted that it might not get toll payers completely off the hook.

"With sales tax revenues, he indicated, the tolls might not have to be raised "as steeply as we otherwise would have to."

The Governor's suggestion that there may still have to be toll hikes even with a proposed sales tax increase is more reason why the Toll Equity guarantee passed by the House must be in the final Transportation Bill. Toll Equity guarantees that the toll being charged is for the service being provided. Toll Equity eliminates the 138% "Big Dig" tax that is added to the real cost of providing turnpike service. This is our best opportunity, since the legislature created the Turnpike Authority in 1952, to ensure toll fairness and honesty. The time to act is now!
Please call or email the Transportation Conference Committee members and urge them to keep the Toll Equity guarantee in the Transportation bill.
Please email or call the offices of the Transportation Conference Committee Members:

* Sen. Steven Baddour, Methuen
* Sen. Stephen Brewer, Barre
* Sen. Robert Hedlund, Weymouth
* Rep. Joseph Wagner, Chicopee
* Rep. Charles Murphy, Burlington
* Rep. George Peterson, Grafton

Make sure that you also call or write the Governor's Office and cc the Governor regarding any of your emails or letters to others. And don't be shy about writing or calling your local newspaper, TV or radio station. Get the word out.

To learn more, please visit our website, www.tollequitytrust.com and follow us on Twitter. Email your Turnpike stories to tollequity@gmail.com, and we will post them on our new blog!