Perry's road revolution could take electoral toll

Austin American-Statesman ^ | August 20, 2006 | Ben Wear

[Deek]

I do not support the TTC nor Gov Goodhair and his cronies

OK, I'm out! How do you even begin to argue with this kinda logic.

[Hydroshock]

I do not like it and do nto drive on it but maybe once every 3 to 4 months. There are enough free roads.

[GeronL]

He might beat the 'RAT candidate

The Democrat Candidate whashisname might come in 4th

[ARealMothersSonForever]

OK, I'm out! How do you even begin to argue with this kinda logic.

It is a lot like playing drink, drank, drunk. Everytime you see the word Goodhair, landgrab, or Spain; you sip your iced tea. Knowing that the Marxists are chugging a 40 and are IM'ing the Kinky HQ for more help. They generally fade into an incoherent stupor after an hour or two.

[Doctor Stochastic]

What happened to the Gilmer-Aiken protocol? That was big before I left the state. (I used to live near Gilmer.)

[Doctor Stochastic]

Note that Bush had two terms after Richards; he didn't fix the school funding.

[Doctor Stochastic]

However, those who drive on the toll roads still pay gas taxes. (I think.) Removing the gas tax on toll roads (not easy to do in practice) would be useful.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

I do not know, I do not live in Upshur county. Seems their school districts may have had an agreement on funding and school buses.

[Deek]

It is a lot like playing drink, drank, drunk. Everytime you see the word Goodhair, landgrab, or Spain; you sip your iced tea. Knowing that the Marxists are chugging a 40 and are IM'ing the Kinky HQ for more help. They generally fade into an incoherent stupor after an hour or two.

ROR!!!

[deport]

You could with some kinda average removal basis such as giving each vehicle, say SUV, 15 miles per gallon then they would get 1.33 cents back for each mile driven. Then say an average auto gets 20 mpg then they get one cent back for each mile driven. Just have it credited as part of the pay fee to the toll collector. Texas government could set up another beauracy to refund the toll gas tax and help unemployment at the same time.

[Deek]

However, those who drive on the toll roads still pay gas taxes. (I think.)

They will pay gas tax. They will also pay: Sales Tax; Income Tax; Property Tax(es); Etc.

I don't think this changes the fact that: We need this road (35 is a mess), and it will only get paid for through a new tax or user fee. User fees are fair (and a positive step away from the current socialized system).

[Doctor Stochastic]

User fees are fair (and a positive step away from the current socialized system).

And admits that the gas tax isn't for highways but is just another tax. Maybe there should be user fees for public schools.

[Deek]

And admits that the gas tax isn't for highways but is just another tax.

Clearly the gas tax is NOT only for roads, as 25% of the tax goes to schools...well, less than that as the Feds keep some.

Maybe there should be user fees for public schools.

I'd settle for vouchers as a start.

[Jedidah]

"It's being opposed by luddites, birchers, and retards in general."

Gosh, Dog, my friend, I think I take offense at that.

[horse_doc]

It's being opposed by luddites, birchers, and retards in general.

Actually, I know a lot of perfectly normal Texans who aren't in favor of it. Most are conservatives (I don't associate with commies or Blue-Zoners), and voted for Perry.

They aren't going to vote for Kinky, or Strayhorn. They will just sit this one out. But make no mistake - they are letting their legislators know that they are not happy about it. And the Legislature will decide this, in the end, as it should.

One of my employees is a conservative who attended her first TTC meeting, near Waco, and the local opposition was ferocious. My attorney, near Georgetown, reports the same. My brother, north of Dallas, reports the same.

All of these are solidly red, conservative counties, populated by great people, who have good reasons to want to keep their land from being taken. Don't kid yourself - Perry's inevitable re-election doesn't mark the end of this debate, it marks the beginning.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

bump.

[wolfcreek]

Globalist Elites like Perry and his predecessor are intent on ignoring the will of the people of Texas. Although this state is eminence, resources such as water are in short supply. The massive influx of people from other countries and states will eventually take it's toll on the state's ability to thrive.

[Dog Gone]

You're obviously the exception I built into that statement. ;-)

We have not built every road that this state will ever need. Is that a fair statement?

If it's accurate, then we need to figure out how to pay for them. And where they go. Objections to the fact that roads take up land are red herrings. Of course they do. They always have.

So, again, unless you're taking the position that we'll never need another road in the state, the discussion needs to be where and how.