Mayor Thomas M. Menino urged the state to avoid steep MBTA fare increases and service cuts, calling instead for a gas tax or other tax increase to aid the T. Touting transit’s role in the region’s economy, environment, and quality of life, Menino called it a mistake to drive people away at a time of record ridership. The T faces a $161 million deficit for the coming year, prompting it to propose raising the price of passes and fares while imposing service cuts.