Words from the web
The Pennsylvania state Senate has passed a bill that would increase various fees and taxes to provide more money for the state’s transportation needs. It now goes to the House for its approval. Are you wiling to pay more in taxes and fees for better roads and bridges? Is that a fair tradeoff? How bad are our roads and bridges? Are there any other alternatives?
“No. Pennsylvania’s taxes are already higher than many other states that have vastly better roads than we do. Cut wasteful spending, starting with the size of our bloated legislature, and spend that money on roads.”
“The tax Pennsylvania wants to do is a 10-cent per gallon excise tax on gas. If it goes towards transportation and roads, then I wouldn’t mind paying 10 cents more for gas to have better roads, but most likely it will go to political pockets.”
“So my ‘user fees’ (and fuel taxes) pay for the highways and bridges I use, but my state taxes subsidize the cost of public transportation (mostly buses) for people who live in cities? Interesting, they pay very little, and I have to pay twice. In other words, I’m against paying additional fees.”
“No more taxes. I am going paycheck to paycheck now. Can’t get ahead anymore.”
“I believe I heard the better-roads-and-bridges line before. Wait, a number of times … same song, different verse.”
“Wonder if this will do anything to lower the outlandish tolls we’re paying to ride on the expressway.”
“I remember in 1979 I was going to go to Fla. on my motorcycle. My mother was strongly opposed to it because the roads were so bad in Pa. Well, I started my trek south and dodged the pot holes all the way to the Maryland border. Guess what? The potholes went away once I crossed that border. Now, it is 34 years later, and I live in Va., and when I go to Pa., I seem to be dodging the same potholes that I missed 34 years ago.”
“No. Too much waste.”
“I got an idea. Why don’t the politicians all take a pay cut to fix the roads.”
“Many companies are now profiting from the natural resources of PA. They are using the roads taxpayers built! Maybe shift a tax toward them instead of the commonwealth.”
“NO! Every time they need money they raise gas and cigarette taxes. There is enough waste out there to make up for this tax hike. Like cutting their salaries and perks.”