Group rallies in support of Mass. tax hike

BOSTON (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick's call for nearly $2 billion in new taxes to pay for improvements in transportation and education is receiving support from hundreds of activists.

Community groups, teachers and other public employee unions were among those who attended a rally on Tuesday in support of the proposed revenue increases.

Patrick -- who was greeted by a standing ovation from the gathering -- said the money would be used to upgrade the state's aging transportation infrastructure, and assure that every child in Massachusetts, regardless of family income, receives a quality education.

He called taxes "the price of civilization."

The governor has faced an uphill fight in trying to convince legislative leaders to accept his tax plan, which includes raising the state income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent.