STATEWIDE — A Republican member of Congress who once represented a sizable portion of Los Angeles County told this writer he wished he could have been a Democrat. His heart was always supportive of social causes. His mind, conversely, overrode his bleeding heart and always erred on the side of practicality. It would be impossible for taxpayers, fiscally speaking, to support every single social cause or “greater good” proposal, regardless of its good intentions.
Odds are most people would not identify the recent gasoline tax hike as a noble social cause – even though policymakers have argued the levy is necessary to modernize our roads. The words of the now-retired representative, regardless of your position on the gasoline tax, are applicable nonetheless.
California’s roads are failing and the state needs an infusion of cash to pay for much needed infrastructure improvements, those who supported the gas tax hike argued. Not paying for these improvements now would only mean greater costs down the line, supporters continued. Enacting a 12-cent fuel hike – diesel users would pay more – would provide the state with enough cash to pay for the needed improvements.
The question, to the former representative’s point, is whether the gasoline tax hike...
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4 Responses
The gas tax is a real boondoggle. The state seems to funnel it to other programs the same way that the FEDs do with Social Secruity.
Originally the gas tax was passed to build and maintain roads, bridges. The legislature then decided it would be of more, and better use to put it in the general fund…it was used for welfare, it was used to fund calpers, it was used for everything bUT roads. If Jerry Brown gits his finger in this pie, it will again be used for everything but roads. I’ve even heard that he already has plans to divert a portion to fund legal representation for undocumented individuals. As for other sources, they always threaten schools, emergency services to be cut if they don’t get their way.is anyone else tired of hearing that?
Ca already has some of the highest taxes in the entire US. These greedy politicians will just move the money elsewhere to fund their own interests. How can they tax without a public vote? They all should be fired, but the sorry ass democrats will remain….wake up people. Vote these politicians out, and put new people in. I don’t care about party affiliation, just vote them out !! I want Brown out too, bring in someone who cares about the outdoorsman and women, who also cares about our coast.
If governor Brown would have put all the money he has spent on his silly train project into roads, we would all be miles ahead.