BOSTON (AP) — The Democratic speaker of the Massachusetts House is calling for a smaller package of tax increases than has been recommended by Gov. Deval Patrick.

In remarks prepared for delivery Thursday to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Speaker Robert DeLeo said if the House is to pass a revenue package, it should be “far more narrow in scope and of significantly smaller size,” than Patrick’s proposal.

The Democratic governor has called for a net tax increase of $1.9 billion to pay for transportation and education.

His plan calls for raising the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent, while lowering the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent.

DeLeo supports transportation improvements, but wants to make sure unnecessary costs are removed before committing additional money to the system.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.