Mass. Lawmakers Wait On Transportation Bill

Massachusetts lawmakers will wait until next week before likely rejecting changes proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick to a key transportation funding bill.

That's after a deadline for Patrick to sign the state budget for the current fiscal year. The transportation bill includes $500 million in new taxes needed to balance the budget. Patrick said the transportation bill fails to account for about $135 million that would be lost if tolls west of Interstate 95 are eliminated as scheduled in 2017.

Patrick says he'll return the bill with an amendment that would automatically raise the gasoline tax if the tolls are removed. Lawmakers said they'd likely reject Patrick's amendment.