Mass. GOP wants hearing on transportation plan

BOSTON (AP) - Republican lawmakers at the Statehouse are calling on Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo to schedule a public hearing on a soon-to-be-released transportation funding plan.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones noted on Wednesday that revised bills are sometimes moved through the legislature without public input. He said the House transportation plan should be subject to a public hearing because it is likely to include some type of tax increase.

Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July 1 - which has been reviewed at public hearings - calls for $1.9 billion in new taxes to pay for investments in transportation and education.

DeLeo, however, has indicated that House Democrats are likely to deal with transportation financing apart from the budget as a whole. A plan is expected soon.

Cox Media Group