Beacon Hill says no to the gas tax holiday, and the governor's race just got a talking point

The Massachusetts House on Wednesday voted down a two-month suspension of the 24-cent-per-gallon gas tax, 30-121, even though polls say voters like the idea and both candidates for governor have endorsed some version of it. Gov. Maura Healey floated a holiday in late September as gas climbed to roughly $4.25 a gallon, more than $1.25 above last year, amid the war in Iran. Her Republican challenger, Mike Minogue, had proposed his own plan days earlier, and his campaign site now features a running tally of "days since Maura Healey promised a gas tax suspension."

House Democrats were blunt about why they balked: They doubt drivers would actually see the savings at the pump, while the state would lose revenue that's earmarked for roads, bridges, and transit. Republican Rep. Todd Smola of Warren, who filed the amendment, cited a UMass poll showing 69 percent of voters support a temporary suspension and said, essentially, take the hint. The spending bill itself, roughly $2.4 billion, cleared the House 152-0, which tells you the gas tax was the one fight leadership was willing to have.

The political fallout is the real story. Minogue called the rejection proof that Healey's proposal was "a political stunt." Healey now has to explain why her own party's House wouldn't move on her idea two weeks before Election Day, and whether she'll push the Senate to revive it. Expect that question at every campaign stop between now and Nov. 3.

Full story at CommonWealth Beacon →

Boston City Council subpoenas the T's boss over Blue Hill Avenue. In a rarely used move, the council voted to compel MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to testify about the $164 million Blue Hill Avenue redesign. Councilor Miniard Culpepper, a Dorchester Democrat, says officials dodged opponents' questions at four September hearings and that Eng skipped his Oct. 14 field hearing. Culpepper and Councilor Brian Worrell want an Orange Line extension studied instead. Eng says the redesign doesn't rule that out. Boston Globe →

Lawrence recall effort is officially underway. The city clerk certified 170 signatures, well above the 100 needed, to start a recall of Mayor Brian DePeña, who faces state and federal charges including wiretapping, witness intimidation, and alleged misuse of federal loan money. Organizers will have 30 days to gather more than 7,000 signatures. The City Council voted no confidence Tuesday, though that vote carries no legal power, and DePeña says he's staying put. WBUR →

Question 3's backers and critics are going at it. Three CommonWealth Beacon op-eds make the case on all-party primaries. Supporters say the top-two format would move the decisive vote into higher-turnout November elections. Opponents point to California and Washington, where vote-splitting has produced odd outcomes, and note the "yes" side has raised $7.7 million, largely from wealthy donors, versus under $200,000 for "no." CommonWealth Beacon →

Lawmakers aren't rushing on child sexual abuse reform. A House-passed amendment would end the statute of limitations on civil child sexual abuse cases, lift the $20,000 charitable immunity cap, and open a two-year window to revive expired claims. A poll found 84 percent of residents support eliminating the time limit. Yet leadership is staying quiet, and the amendment's author, Rep. John Lawn of Watertown, was left off the conference committee. CommonWealth Beacon →

Washington taps heating oil reserves. The Energy Department will loan out up to 315,000 barrels from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, with deliveries done by Nov. 13. Heating oil is averaging $6.14 a gallon nationally, up 50 percent since the Iran war began, and analysts doubt this will bring meaningful relief to New England homes. Boston Globe →

Lindsay Clancy's lawyers lose a round. Judge William Sullivan denied the defense's request for an evidentiary hearing to question the lone holdout juror who forced last month's mistrial. He has not yet ruled on the motion to dismiss the murder charges on double-jeopardy grounds. Boston Globe →

• Nov. 3: Election Day. Early in-person voting is already underway, and GBH has explainers on Question 7 (a 5,000-square-foot statewide minimum lot standard for single-family homes) and Question 8 (repealing recreational marijuana sales). GBH on Question 7 → | GBH on Question 8 →
• Nov. 24: Next court date for streamer Braden "Clavicular" Peters, who pleaded not guilty Thursday in Orleans District Court to rape and related charges involving a 17-year-old. Boston Globe →
• Late October: Boston police are boosting patrols near campuses as Halloween nears, and Commissioner Michael Cox is urging students to watch their drinks. Boston Globe →

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