Tax increase spares PVTA fare hikes

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Governor Deval Patrick wants to increase the state income tax by one percent and lower the sales tax by almost two percent.

The thousands of people who ride the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties were spared a fare increase last year.

Tim Brennan of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission told 22News money from the income tax hike would allow the PVTA to forego a fare hike this year and restore service that had to be cut in recent years.

Customers at Easthampton's Silver Spoon Restaurant have strong opinions about the proposed income tax increase.

“I think he's kept Massachusetts right up there in the top states to live in education wise, and health care,” said Chuck Crowther of Northampton. “I think he's done a good job overall.”

Jeff Doyle, owner of the Silver Spoon Restaurant, said, “I personally don't think they're going to do it, because I don't think the legislature would want to raise the taxes, but I might be wrong.”

The Governor said the sales tax he hopes to reduce from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. He believes the sales tax tends to have a disproportionately bigger impact on lower and middle income people.