Mass. voters eliminate gas tax indexing

Voters in Massachusetts decided Tuesday to eliminate a provision that requires the state gas tax to change each year to keep pace with inflation.

By a margin of 53 to 47 percent, the state’s electorate chose to repeal the measure, which would have adjusted the levy on gasoline and diesel fuel each year based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

Repeal advocates argued the measure unfairly allowed the Legislature to avoid voting on increases to the state tax, which is 26.5 cents per gallon now.

Proponents of the law said it is an efficient way to help Massachusetts raise the money it needs to maintain roads and bridges.