Massachusetts Weighs Transportation Reform

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has joined the Senate in approving a reform plan for the state’s transportation system.

The House bill approved this week now goes to a conference committee that will iron out differences with the Senate bill.

Both would eliminate the state’s turnpike authority and make changes in pension and health benefits for transportation workers.

Both houses, however, have yet to address a proposal by Gov. Deval Patrick (D) to raise the state’s fuel tax by 19 cents.

The state’s various transportation agencies are awash in red ink, which Patrick hopes to remove with the new fuel tax.

Patrick said he will not sign a tax increase into law unless the legislature agrees to the reform measures first.