Speliotis on House Budget: Obligation Not to Overburden Taxpayers

State Rep. Ted Speliotis says that unlike down in the nation's capitol, Massachusetts has to live within its means. That's why he voted Monday night after about 10 hours of debate for a transportation bill and tax plan Gov. Deval Patrick has threatened to veto.

The bill approved by the House of Representatives in a 97-55 vote would generate $500 million in new taxes in order to close the MBTA's operating deficit, stop borrowing money to pay for state transportation employees' salaries and invest another $100 million in the upkeep of local roads and sidewalks.

The House plan, which fell several votes short of a veto-proof margin, would increase the gas tax by 3 cents, hike tobacco taxes and impose a tax on information technology services. Chapter 90 funds for roads and sidewalks would increase from $200 million to $300 million.

Speliotis said this bill achieves 25 percent overall of Patrick's plan, 50 percent of his transportation goal and nothing else, including bumps to local aid. Patrick's budget seeks to generate nearly $2 billion in new taxes to invest in transportation and education.

"I think the governor's plan is only attainable without having to balance the budget," said Speliotis, who represents Danvers, West Peabody and part of Middleton. "Our duty is not to overburden the taxpayers."

He likened it to having a fast race car and, by human nature, always wanting to make it faster, better. He finds no fault with that, but "the ability to pay is a problem." 

Speliotis said the House plan is a "good alternative" to Patrick's, which would expand government with new initiatives and new projects. This budget, in contrast, just attempts to rein in billions in transportation debt from the Big Dig -- debt that has been pushed off for years and led to large toll hikes on state highways.

Speliotis says that debt has caused many of the financial hurdles the Mass. Department of Transportation is faced with now, which in turn are straining resources for upkeep of roads and bridges. 

He believes the gas tax is a fairer way to spread the burden of the debt instead of hiking tolls and fares for commuters in one part of the state.

But beyond all that, Speliotis argues for a different perspective on education and the condition of the state's infrastructure.

He said Massachusetts' schools, both K-12 and colleges, are among the very best in the nation and roads and bridges aren't as bad as some other areas of the country -- he doesn't see a dire emergency to act now.

"We're not at the bottom looking up at 50 states, we're at the top looking down," he said, adding: "We do have the best colleges in the world."

Speliotis said more can be done on both education and transportation, but lawmakers can't ignore the economic environment. He criticized Patrick's proposed budget from the start, saying he couldn't support such tax increases given the economy and jobs.

Patrick's plan sought to increase income, gas and tobacco taxes, while lowering the sales tax and imposing taxes on soda and candy.

The Senate will take up the bill on Thursday and Speliotis says he can't predict what that body will do. There appears to be agreement among the House and Senate leadership on the bill, he said, but it remains to be seen what members think.

A big voice for Peabody was missing from that debate Monday as Representative-Elect Leah Cole waits to be sworn into office. Cole did not return a phone call for comment on the House budget Tuesday.

Speliotis said he hadn't spoken with Cole about the budget plan, but noted she made her position on the budget and taxes clear during her campaign -- she wouldn't support any tax hikes.

He said House Republicans proposed a budget along those lines Monday night, which was defeated.