Massachusetts lawmakers will wait until next week before likely rejecting changes proposed by Governor Deval Patrick to a key transportation funding bill.
That's after the July 12th 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 said he'd 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.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo says that it makes sense to wait until next week to give lawmakers time to review any budget vetoes Patrick might make.
