Lawmakers To Consider Transportation Veto

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts could finally have a transportation financing law by week's end, though it may not be the version Gov. Deval Patrick wanted.

The Legislature is expected to vote this week on Patrick's veto of the bill, with leaders of both branches expressing confidence that they have the necessary votes for an override.

Patrick vetoed the bill Friday after lawmakers rejected his demand to add a provision that would allow for a gas tax increase if tolls on the western portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike come down as scheduled in 2017.

The governor says the bill does not account for the revenue that would be lost if the tolls come down.

Patrick also vetoed more than $400 million in transportation and local aid funds from the state budget, citing the impasse over the transportation bill.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.