Landscapers, florists, and service providers must buy gas to continue conducting their business.
BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2019 – NFIB, the leading small business association in Massachusetts that advocates on behalf of thousands of members in the state, weighed in on the discussion of higher taxes to fund transportation projects. The following comments are attributable to NFIB’s state director in Massachusetts, Christopher Carlozzi.
“Higher fuel taxes, new tolls, and congestion fees are all direct taxes on small businesses simply trying to provide affordable products and services to Massachusetts residents. Higher transportation costs will negatively impact their businesses and their workforce. Any costs that cannot be absorbed will surely be passed along to consumers.
“NFIB opposes the Transportation Climate Initiative’s hidden gas tax and has consistently opposed any increase in gas taxes and tolls in Massachusetts. Instead of tax increases, we urge lawmakers to consider significant transportation-related reforms, such as why Massachusetts ranks third highest in the nation for road repair costs. We need significant MBTA reforms to address unfunded pension liabilities, and there needs to be a thorough look at our prevailing wage laws that drive up the costs of projects.
“Policymakers are talking out of both sides of their mouths. First, they say how unaffordable Massachusetts is becoming, then in the next breath they want to impose new taxes that will increase costs for every business, consumer, commuter and working family in the state.”
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