Worcester Business Journal

24 Worcester Business Journal • September 28, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Best Advertising Agency Best Web Design Firm Proud Winner of Two 2015 Best of Business Awards Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L O T H E R V O I C E S LOW GAS PRICES PRESENT OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE As crude oil prices drop, so do gasoline prices, and a seasonal switch to a cheaper blend of gasoline is bringing Massachusetts gas prices closer to $2. "This would be a great time to raise the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon and designate the money for improvements in the state's transportation infrastructure. The tax could be rescinded if gas goes over $3 a gallon. We need to pay for some improvements and we won't miss the 10 cents since we are paying less tha we were before." Online reader Iharding UBER, LYFT AND TAXI DRIVERS AT STATE HOUSE Cabbies told lawmakers that Uber and Lyft would drive them out of business; Uber and Lyft indicated regulation would drive them out of the state. "My only complaint about Uber and Lyft is "surge" pricing. In other words gouging. Prices go up when it rains or snows. Taxis are regulated to prevent this, so should these other services." Online reader Livin Lynn G overnor Baker is pushing to increase the purchase of large-scale hydropower. Opponents have claimed that the governor's two bills represent overreach into the market. We asked if it the government's place to push for different forms of alternative energy in the state or if the free market decide the energy mix. An overwhelming majority of respondents to our poll from the week of Sept. 14 felt it was the place of government to push for additional alternative energy in the mix. How do you feel about the governor pushing for hydropower in the state? Hydro Power? Yes, please! N egotiations to keep the Pawtucket Red Sox in Providence have reportedly fallen through. A push is on to bring the team to Worcester and locate a new stadium at the former Wyman-Gordon site in the Canal District. In last week's poll, a large majority of people wanted to see a minor league stadium somewhere in Worcester. Do you want to see a Worcester Red Sox stadium in the Canal District? Worcester Red Sox in the Canal District? It's a home run! Yes. A professional sports team will add greatly to the city. 76% I support the government pushing for more alternative energy. 72% If my rates remain the same I have no opinion The free market should determine where our power comes from 26% No. We need to concentrate on boosting the city in other ways. 17% 2% Yes. But not at that location. 7%

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