Senate President Therese Murray declined Governor Deval Patrick’s suggestion regarding gas tax increase, saying the lawmakers were not interested in considering the issue again.

Speaking on the issue Therese Murray informed that the Senate had already voted against the gas tax hike.
 
Earlier, Patrick signed a $27 billion budget that includes more than $1 billion in new taxes, suggesting a hike in the gasoline tax to correct the state’s transportation network financially. It also suggested an increase in the state’s 5 % sales tax to 6.25 %.

Revisions in state pension and transportation laws have also been approved Patrick and the Legislature.

Nineteen cents a gallon hike in the gas tax as proposed by the Governor would have brought in approximately $500 million.

Though, the Legislature has been looking towards a fraction of the sales tax increase, which is projected at $275 million annually to meet transportation funding needs.