[Dog Gone]

Free roads are an illusion. Somebody has to pay for them. If it's those who actually use them, that's probably more fair than most government programs.

You'll pay for them one way or another. The difference is that trucking firm from Chicago or Portland will be helping to pay for the roads they use to make their profits.

[ken21]

i agree with what you said.

but there's more at issue here.

1. why is a foreign company being chosen behind closed doors, as the article above states.

2. don't we have american firms that can do the construction and management?

3. we need american taxpayers and drivers involved in the political process.

4. as radio klbj said the other day, concerning freeways in the austin area, city council members have noticed discrepancies in the state department of transportation's disclosures.

everything need closer scrutiny, and especially the involvement of texans.

[BobL]

"Free roads are an illusion."

I'm not familiar with anyone asking for "Free" roads. What we're asking for is equitable treatment. Why should people who need to use limited access highways have to pay 22 cents per mile (gas tax and Cintra's toll), when people clogging up surface streets get by with paying 2 cents per mile (gas tax only)?

There are a lot of questions when the governor is permitted to go into a back room and negotiate a $7.2 Billion deal, without any input either from the legislature or the voters. That may not bother some people, but it scare the heck out of me.

Hopefully Kay will hand Perry his head in next year's Primary.

[MarshallDillon]

Free roads are an illusion. Somebody has to pay for them. If it's those who actually use them, that's probably more fair than most government programs. You'll pay for them one way or another. The difference is that trucking firm from Chicago or Portland will be helping to pay for the roads they use to make their profits.

Answer: Adjust the gas tax. It is a user fee for which people who drive more, pay more. It is also a fee people across the state will pay, not just in the cities like Austin and Houston. A gas tax increase -if needed, is equitable and fair and will be paid by all who transit the State as well as the locals.

[hedgetrimmer]

The difference is that trucking firm from Chicago or Portland will be helping to pay for the roads they use to make their profits.

No, consumers will pay because the the additional transportation costs will be included in the cost of goods.

They will not pay for it out of their "profits"