As Tuesday’s state election approaches, Chelsea State Representative Dan Ryan has announced his positions on the Commonwealth’s ballot questions.
Ryan is calling on residents throughout the state to reject Question 1, according to statements he made on the matter.
Question 1 seeks to eliminate gas tax indexing through a yes vote. Under current law, the state’s gasoline tax—which stood at 24 cents per gallon in September 2013—is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index from the previous year, with a floor of 21.5 cents per gallon. A no vote would preserve these existing provisions.
Among all the ballot measures, Ryan considers this the most critical question affecting municipalities like Chelsea.
According to Ryan, infrastructure investment hinges on maintaining this revenue mechanism. He explained his reasoning: “People need to vote no if on Question 1 because if the gas tax is repealed it affects the way we pay for bridges, roads and other transportation projects in the state.” The representative stressed that the gas tax, combined with federal matching funds and private investment, represents a vital funding source for transportation infrastructure statewide.
On Question 3, Ryan has taken a different approach. While personally opposed to casino repeal, he said he is not directing other residents how to vote. A yes vote would repeal casino legislation, an outcome some support following Wynn Everett’s gaming license approval from the Mass Gaming Commission.
Ryan characterized this as a political rather than governmental matter. “First of all the referendum questions are a political question not a governmental one,” he said. “How I vote on that is my private personal vote as a private citizen and it not a vote on the House Floor. I have never been for casino repeal and I have remained consistent and always thought if casinos are done correctly they could work in the area.”
Efforts to lobby Ryan into endorsing a yes vote have been made, though he has declined. “I have chosen not to get involved on either side,” said Ryan. “I’m not for repeal and I’m not trying to be cute I’m just staying out of the way and not endorsing either side. With that said I’ve chosen to use the last six weeks to deal with the governmental aspects of the casino law. I have an obligation as the State Representative to ensure the current law on the books works for Charlestown and Chelsea.”
Ryan noted that through last week’s meeting he arranged between Gaming Commission officials and residents, he continues ensuring his district receives appropriate attention and advocacy.