New taxes and fees intended to fund local transportation projects are more likely to receive support from voters than those funding state transportation projects, a new poll by the Boston Globe has found.

In the poll released July 24, the Boston Globe divided 625 respondents in half and asked each group a question relating to fees for transportation funding. The first half of those surveyed were asked if they would support a new fee or tax if the revenue would go towards transportation projects within their state. The other half of respondents were asked if they would support a new fee or tax if the revenue would go towards local transportation projects within their city or town.

  • Of the group asked if they would support new transportation-related fees for state projects, 49% were in favor and 48% were opposed;
  • Of the group asked if they would support new transportation-related fees for local projects, 57% were in favor and 27% were opposed;
  • 28% of respondents who stated that they were likely to vote for Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker would support additional funding for state transportation projects;
  • 49% of respondents who stated that they were likely to vote for Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker would support additional funding for local transportation projects;
  • 70% of those who supported Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley supported new fees for transportation projects, regardless of whether they were asked about state or local projects.

The poll comes as Massachusetts residents prepare to vote on the “Tank the Automatic Gas Tax Hike” ballot measure that will appear on the November 4 statewide ballot. The ballot question preserves a 3-cent increase in the state gas tax determined in 2013, but would abolish the portion that indexes future state gas tax increases to the rate of inflation. State officials have said an additional $1 billion is needed annually to maintain and modernize a deteriorating transportation infrastructure.  The 3-cent-per-gallon state gas tax increase is expected to add approximately $7-8 million a month to fund these projects.  Indexing the state gas tax to inflation is estimated generate $183 million in 11 years.

To read more about the poll, visit here: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/24/voters-would-pay-for-transportation-fixes-close-home/UMN2u0XrsVFc1NBpc9UGIN/story.html