Taxation without Representation

Make them Vote

Did you know that the tax on gasoline is set to increase annually from now on? Buried deep in the recently enacted Transportation Finance Act, the legislation that increased the tax on gasoline, is a clause, which provides for an annual increase in the gasoline tax without oversight or vote. Section 44 reads, “adjusted at the beginning of each calendar year, by the percentage, if any, by which the Consumer Price Index for the preceding year exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year that ends before such preceding year.”  The bill was approved by both the House and Senate and signed into law by the governor. A 3¢ per gallon increase in gasoline tax was not enough for the legislators. They want an annual increase without a vote.

 

The Westford Republican Town Committee is joining forces with other Town Committees and concerned citizens’ groups to collect 69,000 certified signatures statewide on a 2014 ballot initiative to repeal Section 44 of the Transportation Finance Act.

 

Signature drives will take place on Saturday, October 19th and Saturday, November 9th at Dunkin Donuts and both Market Baskets on Littleton Road and Rapid Refill on Groton Road from 10 am to 2 pm. Many business owners are behind this effort because it increases shipping costs that are ultimately passed on to the consumer.