Everyone who uses Iowa's roads should help pay for construction, repairs
Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Recent news articles regarding the “shortfall” in road construction funding and the proposed “remedies” prompt me to offer my opinion and solution.
One of the major reasons there is a “shortfall” is that recent administrations have convinced the driving public to use less fuel by economizing and to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. By following these policies the public drives fewer miles in more efficient vehicles and therefore purchases less fuel, resulting in fewer tax dollars for road construction.
Now legislators are searching for ways to recover the shortage the administration basically mandated.
Governor Culver stated that "an increase in the taxes on fuel is not on the table." As a representative of the people of Iowa, that is an improper position for him to take since I believe it is the only option that fairly affects all Iowans and would also raise money from non-residents purchasing fuel in Iowa.
Everyone using the roads should help pay for the construction and repair of the roads.
If an increase is necessary, raise the tax on ethanol to the same as regular fuel. Taxpayers are already subsidizing the ethanol industry.
Increase the taxes on a gallon of fuel so that taxes on all fuels are equal. Raising the tax on ethanol .02 to .21 per gallon to equal the tax on regular and then raising the tax on both an additional .01 would raise $88 million per year, based on information printed in the Jan. 11, 2008, edition of the Journal. -- Thomas D. Hamann
One of the major reasons there is a “shortfall” is that recent administrations have convinced the driving public to use less fuel by economizing and to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. By following these policies the public drives fewer miles in more efficient vehicles and therefore purchases less fuel, resulting in fewer tax dollars for road construction.
Now legislators are searching for ways to recover the shortage the administration basically mandated.
Governor Culver stated that "an increase in the taxes on fuel is not on the table." As a representative of the people of Iowa, that is an improper position for him to take since I believe it is the only option that fairly affects all Iowans and would also raise money from non-residents purchasing fuel in Iowa.
Everyone using the roads should help pay for the construction and repair of the roads.
If an increase is necessary, raise the tax on ethanol to the same as regular fuel. Taxpayers are already subsidizing the ethanol industry.
Increase the taxes on a gallon of fuel so that taxes on all fuels are equal. Raising the tax on ethanol .02 to .21 per gallon to equal the tax on regular and then raising the tax on both an additional .01 would raise $88 million per year, based on information printed in the Jan. 11, 2008, edition of the Journal. -- Thomas D. Hamann
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Tim H wrote on Feb 1, 2008 11:27 PM:
Dick wrote on Feb 1, 2008 6:15 AM:
Free Man wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:43 PM:
BNDC wrote on Jan 31, 2008 6:54 PM:
I am suing the SC Journal for puting these forums up, and making me spend more time in front of the couputer, causing Carpul Tunnel Syndrum. "
Tom T wrote on Jan 31, 2008 3:54 PM: