Natick resident and Patch blogger Ben Jackson asked Gov. Deval Patrick a question during Patch's live chat.

"Governor, those of us in the MetroWest area currently pay an unequal premium to commute into the city. Are there plans to finally elminiate the Mass Pike tolls, or to equally tax those who enter the city from the North and South—and possibly to use that money to fill the MBTA or MBCR budget deficits?"

The governor responded: "Hi, Ben. Tolling on the Pike is a function of commitments made by previous administrations in our bond agreements. Tolling on the central artery (for example) can be done only with federal approval, because it's a federal highway. Rest assured, all of it is under consideration as we think through a transportation financing plan. I might suggest that you and others interested in the options might want to participate in the several public hearings on transportation financing over the next couple of months. Details atmass.gov/massdot/yourvisionourfuture."

For more questions from yesterday's chat, visit this page.