An unusual 2024 ballot campaign takes aim at the Mass. gas tax

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Massachusetts voters have four ballot questions to decide on this fall (and we'll have more on those soon). But there's one initiative already gearing up for 2024. Harold Hubschman, a Brookline resident who runs a signature gathering business, has a launched an ambitious campaign this fall to include a proposal on the 2024 ballot to suspend the state's gas tax anytime the price is over $3 a gallon. Attorney General Maura Healey's office certified three versions of the question earlier this month. And rather than hiring people or getting volunteers to gather the required signatures, Hubschman has set up a website asking supporters to pay $2.95 to have the official signup petitions mailed to them. In an email, he said it's part of his vision to create an ActBlue-like online platform for signature gathering.

His effort comes after Massachusetts Legislature leaders dismissed calls to suspend the 24-cent-a-gallon gas tax this summer, even as prices soared above $5 a gallon. They argued there was no way to guarantee it would reduce prices at the pump and that a suspension would cost the state "a lot more money" than it would save consumers.

Gas prices have since fallen to $3.53 a gallon, but Hubschman says that's still too painful for many drivers. He is also proposing to change how the tax is collected. Currently, it's somewhat hidden to customers: gas stations pay the tax on the fuel they get from suppliers and incorporate it into the price at the pump. Hubschman's proposal would basically make the tax a line item that drivers see on their gas station receipt.

Past ballot questions have shown there's an appetite for rolling back the gas tax in Massachusetts — good policy or not. Hubschman is also giving himself extra time to make his case by starting the process a year earlier than necessary. If he gets the required 80,239 signups needed this fall, he could have over a year to campaign. But he also says if he doesn't get enough pledged signers within next six weeks, he'll keep recruiting and restart the process next summer.

COVID levels detected in Boston-area wastewater are once again on the rise, a potential warning sign of a fall uptick on the near horizon. According to data collected by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, viral RNA copies found in Greater Boston's wastewater are at their highest level since mid-spring. And in Boston and its northern suburbs, levels have jumped 100% just in the last week.

"Now is the time to get boosted," Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston's public health commissioner, tweeted early this morning. Ojikutu also recommended indoor masking, especially if you're older, immunocompromised or unvaccinated.

Boston health officials are also seeing a gradual increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations since the start of the school year. Statewide COVID metrics have remained basically flat all summer, but we'll get a new weekly update later this evening.

Crews have removed roughly two dozen "unsatisfactory" light poles from Boston's Seaport neighborhood, after one (with serious signs of rust) toppled over Tuesday and injured a woman walking across the Moakley Bridge.

City Councilor Ed Flynn is calling for a full audit of the city's light poles — especially ones on bridges — due to concerns about potential corrosion from saltwater and sea air.

Food stamp recipients in Massachusetts will see a big bump in their benefits beginning this weekend. According to Gov. Charlie Baker's administration, monthly SNAP payments will increase 12% in October to help offset rising inflation and soaring home energy bills.

The adjustment equates to an extra $25-$30 a month for the state's average SNAP recipient — though households of four or more could see increases of over $100 a month.

P.S.— In a head-bobbing mood tonight? Come on down to WBUR CitySpace for a concert featuring the local indie rock group Lady Pills. You can get a taste of their music from their 2021 Tiny Desk concert submission or listen to / read WBUR reporter Amelia Mason's recent Sound On profile. But you'll want to be there in person tonight; doors open at 6 p.m.