Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick threatened to veto a transportation spending bill that cleared both chambers of the legislature on Wednesday.
The plan would raise taxes by up to $805 million in 2018, but Patrick administration officials worry about the revenue loss from the expected removal of tolls for most of the Massachusetts Turnpike at the end of 2017.
"While I appreciate the efforts the conferees have made, the conference report would not provide the reported $805 million in new revenue for transportation," Patrick said in a statement Wednesday night. "I expect to return this bill with an amendment and look forward to working with the legislature to enact it."
Earlier in the day, the House and Senate passed the bill by 105-47 and 34-6 votes, respectively.
The impasse comes as a $118 million gap and budget deadline hover over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the mass-transit system that serves greater Boston. The funding would spare MBTA riders a fare increase. The "T," as the system is commonly known, hit riders with a 23% increase last year.
The turnpike on Dec. 31, 2017, is expected to remove tolls from the original 123-mile stretch eastward from the New York State line to the state Route 128/Interstate 95 interchange in Newton. Tolling would continue along the remaining 15-mile extension into Boston.
Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's rate the state's general obligation bonds AA-plus, while Moody's Investors Service assigns an Aa1 rating.
