Thursday, November 20, 2008
'Plotting every possible alternative route'
Be afraid, Newton. Be afraid, Lincoln. ... Actually, Alan LeBovidge smugly has it half right. Not every future Pike dodger will permanently remain a Pike dodger. But the key is they'll no longer be permanent Pike users either. ... OK, Sal is on board for a gas-tax hike. But my reading between the lines is that state leaders want to keep both the tolls AND increase gas taxes. This isn't reform or fair. Everyone knows that lawmakers would merely nix the proposed toll increase next year in exchange for a gas-tax hike -- and then raise tolls again in future years. There's not a shred of doubt in my mind that's the scenario we'll see unfold if they keep the tolls. The answer is to eliminate all tolls and the Turnpike now. Raise the gas tax to pay off debts -- and raise the gas tax above that debt target to tackle other necessary projects. ...
Be afraid, Newton. Be afraid, Lincoln. ... Actually, Alan LeBovidge smugly has it half right. Not every future Pike dodger will permanently remain a Pike dodger. But the key is they'll no longer be permanent Pike users either. ... OK, Sal is on board for a gas-tax hike. But my reading between the lines is that state leaders want to keep both the tolls AND increase gas taxes. This isn't reform or fair. Everyone knows that lawmakers would merely nix the proposed toll increase next year in exchange for a gas-tax hike -- and then raise tolls again in future years. There's not a shred of doubt in my mind that's the scenario we'll see unfold if they keep the tolls. The answer is to eliminate all tolls and the Turnpike now. Raise the gas tax to pay off debts -- and raise the gas tax above that debt target to tackle other necessary projects. ...
