Gas Tax is Up Starting Wednesday: Are you OK with Higher Taxes?

This post was written was written by Roberto Scalese.

Drivers and smokers may be having a bad day Wednesday. 

The state tax on two commonly purchased items - gasoline and cigarettes - have gone up starting Wednesday. The gas tax has increased three cents a gallon. The cigarette tax, meanwhile, is up a full dollar a pack. That's an extra $20 if you buy full cartons.

But before you bust out rubber tubes to syphon your neighbor's gas tank, remember that these increases will go to improve the state's transportation system, which—outside of the Big Dig—has been crumbling for years. 

Is this the right way to raise the money? Will raising these taxes provide the money needed for road and rail work?  Is this how we rebuild our infrastructure to encourage economic growth? Or are these taxes a drag on the economy just as we're seeing signs of progress?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.