UPDATED: Dozens of lawmakers told administrations officials Thursday that they support increasing the 23.5-cent-per-gallon tax, a measure Gov. Deval Patrick opposes, the State House News Service reported Friday.

According to the report, the lawmakers met with Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Executive Director Alan LeBovidge Thursday afternoon to air their concerns regarding governor's transportation reform package. Among the lawmakers' frustrations were a plan to end FastLane and residential toll discounts and the governor's opposition to the gas tax increase.

"There were significant numbers of legislators who were in favor of the gas tax," state Rep. Byron Rushing (D-Boston) told the State House News.

Patrick's (D-Boston) office remained stalwart in opposition. "As the governor has said repeatedly," Patrick spokesman Kyle Sullivan told the State House News, "an increase in the gas tax is not his first choice, particularly in light of increased fuel costs for consumers."