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Massachusetts Transportation Secretary James Aloisi says the reality of the fiscal crisis facing Massachusetts finally pushed him and Governor Patrick to propose the gas tax. He says, “We’ve got coming, a $165 million operating deficit at the T, which will happen on July 1. If we don’t solve that problem, we’ll have T fare hikes, service cuts, and layoffs. And we’ve got a Turnpike that is very close to having junk bond status.”

Aloisi says Governor Patrick will veto the gas tax hike if it is adopted without Deval’s proposed reforms of transportation agencies. He says that tolls will have to be raised if the gas tax is not approved by the March deadline set by Turnpike Authority lenders.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick delivered his long-awaited decision last Friday. Despite rejecting the idea during his campaign, he proposed a 19-cent a gallon increase in gas taxes.

The number one cheerleader for the gas tax joins Jim Braude on this segment of Newsnight.

Last month, James Aloisi was named Secretary of Transportation. During the Dukakis and early Weld administration, he served at counsel to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

For more information on Governor Patrick’s transportation reform plan CLICK HERE.