COMMENTARY: Road Tax: Pay More, Get More
Posted: October 9, 2012 at 2:47 a.m.
When it comes to the halfcent sales tax for highways on this year’s ballot, the question is simple: Do voters want better highways, do they want to pay for them, and if so, how?
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Opinion, Pages 5 on 10/09/2012
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Vote NO on this tax.
There was a diesel tax proposed which would have raised a similar amount of money. Large diesel trucks do a majority of the damage to Ark roadways.
Pretty simple to grasp that roadways pounded by 80.000 lb vehicle don't last very long and become congested quickly.
Yet, the Ark legislature, at the last moment, decided to back away from a diesel tax after the trucking industry had approved of it.
In the meantime large truck buyers were offered a tax credit in exchange for supporting an additional diesel fuel tax.
When legislators backed down on the diesel fuel tax they left in place the tax credit for big trucks. So, Ark revenues got the shaft.
VOTE NO ON THIS NEW TAX.
It will appear as Issue # 1 on your November ballot.
.
Posted by: cdawg
October 9, 2012 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
How about cutting the subsidies to Big Oil, and using those funds for the roads? Bet we'd have some left over, to boot.
Posted by: SPA
October 9, 2012 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
the past 2 years had several infrastructure and transportation bills in the us congress. our senator John boozo and all the republican ones voted NO! not because we don't need federal dollars to help us build roads, but because they did not want the Obama administration to look good before the election. Vote those party loyal fools off and vote for congressmen and women who will help arkansas rebuild our roads again..even if is called a stimulus.
Posted by: ladyLiberty
October 9, 2012 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Seem to remember that the last time we voted for a highway tax, the same promises were made and we got reflectors that come loose and nearly killed a few drivers. Now we got cable barriers that will slice and dice motorcyclers into four neat pieces (gives new meaning to vegamatic) and will have to be torn out when 412 goes 6 lanes in a few years. Time to remove the political hack, Dick Trammel, and appoint an actual engineer as highway commissioner.
Seems to me all these mistakes occured on a Demoncraft watch. Remember Blanche?
Posted by: Moneymyst
October 9, 2012 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Almost forgot, the great Regional airport runway did up and replace. Didn't that occur under another democrat political hack, the airport manager. And Blanche, and Beebe, and Mark. We sure need more democrats, maybe then we can tear up the country and replace it too.
Posted by: Moneymyst
October 9, 2012 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ok Moneymyst do you think the republican congress man is helping or hurting the middle class?
How John Boozman voted
Voted against the The American Jobs Act
Would create over 2 million jobs through direct assistance and targeted tax breaks.
Voted against the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act
Prevents layoffs of hundreds of thousands of teachers, cops and firefighters.
Voted for the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)
Provides states and communities with two years of steady funding for roads, bridges, and mass transit systems.
Voted against the Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act
Keeps college accessible and affordable for over 7 million college students.
Voted against the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act(SNAP Benefits Amendment)
S. 3240 prevents a $4.5 billion cut from food assistance for needy families.
Voted against the DISCLOSE Act
Toughens disclosure requirements for election-related spending by corporations.
Voted against the Bring Jobs Home Act
S. 3364 ends practice of giving tax breaks to U.S. companies moving jobs overseas.
Voted against the Middle Class Tax Cut Act
Would end Bush tax cuts for wealthy Americans while maintaining those for the middle class.
Voted for the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013 (Ryan Budget)
Would slash domestic spending including converting Medicare into a voucher program,
Voted for the South Korea Trade Agreement
H.R. 3080 lowers tariffs on U.S. auto exports to Korea while maintaining incentives for outsourcing of U.S. jobs.
Posted by: ladyLiberty
October 10, 2012 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
it may be time for toll roads in Arkansas...but it may be against our outdated laws. the burden of paying for those roads if the Republicans will not let the federal dollars help, then we need to do tolls like all the surrounding states. those interstate truck drivers can get gas in other states then drive thru our state. but they have to drive thru here.they are the ones causing the congestion and the damage to our roads.
Posted by: ladyLiberty
October 10, 2012 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OK, ladyLiberty, you can skip all the democrat talking points in your 8:25 post. I've read em before on MoveOn.whatever.
But your 1:59 post is brilliant. Toll roads require those who use the road to pay for them. Most of the large trucks are licensed in other states even if their company is in Arkansas. And, No, I don't agree with everything Sen John Boreman votes for and even less with General Woemack, I certainly haven't fallen lock step with the democrat propaganda either.
Posted by: Moneymyst
October 10, 2012 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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