outtabout

Rookie Author
Virginia
Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 1:44:42 PM
After reading the majority of comments it appears many ignore that gas taxes may have at one time been a good source of reliable fed & state funding for construction and maintenance of the interstate and local highway systems. But gas taxes no longer provide even the funding needed to just maintain the roads and bridges we got. The gas tax was never indexed to inflation. Advances made in engine/automotive technology (driven by the Fed's CAFE standards) have increased the MPG performance (good for us, bad for $'s from gas consumption) and the introduction of alternative fuel vehicles have all combined to diminish the $'s collected from fuel taxes. Shame on those elected officials who continue to dodge and ignore their responsibility and who allow the best transportation infrastructure this world has seen just continue to rot & decay. Congrats to those officials who refuse to be judged by what is politically popular and do what's necessary to ensure we address past sins, repair our roads and bridges and work for making a reliable source of funding available to return our infrastructure back to safe operations and ensure it is done in a way that is equitable. Tolls are only paid by those who use that specific road. But to be fair I would say any signfiicant increase in tolls on interstates should be combined with legislation that would allow us to get a rebate on our personal federal income taxes for all tolls paid thru the year -- now that would get the attention of Congress!
Bottomline: take a good look at the roads you drive on daily -- they may be here tomorrow, but unless there is someway to pay for repairs they're gonna be gone tomorrow. We need to ensure they remain usable for our next generation.
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honda0105

Champion Author
Tallahassee
Posts:18,623 Points:1,609,520 Joined:Nov 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2012 6:02:26 AM
you already got one agency, why create another?
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rjhenn

Champion Author
Des Moines
Posts:22,438 Points:2,229,700 Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 11:27:25 PM
bart_reed - "Another step in "pay for what you use"."
Don't you mean "pay more for the same services"?
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tomok

Champion Author
Portland
Posts:33,011 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 3:47:47 PM
Virginia! Gov. wants Toll Road Authority created, another government agency and another toll road to fleece the driving public. Use the gas taxes for what they were intended to do – the repair or replacement of roads and bridges. It will force the side roads to handle more traffic and restrict travel by tourists and increase the cost of goods and services by truck. If it happens in Va and Mo, it may happen in a state near you. Remember to bypass Virginia and Missouri when traveling or on vacation. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
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N5EXY

Champion Author
Austin
Posts:5,492 Points:1,510,230 Joined:Jul 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 10:04:26 AM
Pay twice.
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07skydriver

Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:3,256 Points:982,275 Joined:Feb 2009
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 6:54:11 AM
If you don't want to pay ... Just stay home.
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bart_reed

Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:3,974 Points:785,630 Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 3:26:26 AM
Another step in "pay for what you use".
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Krykson

All-Star Author
Chicago
Posts:840 Points:247,285 Joined:Jul 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 2:51:16 AM
Interesting
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jrsva

Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:9,852 Points:1,613,000 Joined:Jan 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:54:23 AM
I didn’t vote for McDonnell. Fortunately, Virginia governors cannot run for a second term. Maybe we can get someone better next time.
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trinda1

Champion Author
Fort Worth
Posts:2,011 Points:544,795 Joined:Dec 2010
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:13:12 AM
Good article PD, and if I would go in on the naming with you does that mean I get part of the revenue from the toll usage? Problem with that, we will still be pick pocketing the people and the Gov. Still gets what he wants.
Should had known he was a republican.
FrankTA2>>We have toll roads in NJ & NY, no big deal. They pulled the wool over your head, now you are use to it. Yes, it is a big deal!
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mpg611

Champion Author
Cleveland
Posts:2,334 Points:569,545 Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:10:00 AM
ssect8 said "Another idiot politician elected by a bunch of clueless citizens.
Couldnt have said it any better. Democrats all about political correctness. Republicans all about a certain religion. Both all about big government and high taxes and less freedoms. All the above havent worked, yet its the same crap over and over. When will we wake up?
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Saturn93

Champion Author
Salt Lake City
Posts:7,292 Points:1,640,885 Joined:Oct 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:05:32 AM
More government agencies. Just what we need. --- NOT
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jrschl

Champion Author
Louisville
Posts:2,967 Points:681,065 Joined:Jun 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:03:53 AM
Is what it is I suppose.
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ssect8

Champion Author
Hartford
Posts:7,994 Points:2,094,270 Joined:Jun 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:02:29 AM
Another idiot politician elected by a bunch of clueless citizens.
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Dragnet

Champion Author
Arizona
Posts:15,406 Points:2,908,760 Joined:Jul 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 25, 2012 12:00:03 AM
Something else to make the Springfield Interchange more of a mess during rush hour
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bonzoonfmb

Champion Author
Florida
Posts:1,782 Points:644,585 Joined:Feb 2010
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:56:55 PM
I have a warrant in Virginia anyway.
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SparkieMi

Champion Author
Kalamazoo
Posts:3,258 Points:588,325 Joined:Sep 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:56:07 PM
Politics and greed...
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Blue48

Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:7,305 Points:1,637,945 Joined:Feb 2007
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:53:33 PM
OK
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jorja13

Champion Author
British Columbia
Posts:1,093 Points:249,860 Joined:Aug 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:47:46 PM
Another place for tourists to avoid.
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lightninjack

Sophomore Author
Ohio
Posts:194 Points:15,695 Joined:Dec 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:46:25 PM
Can i put a toll booth at the end of my long driveway and start charging people
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ron98146

Champion Author
Seattle
Posts:1,579 Points:964,855 Joined:Jun 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:44:17 PM
who woulda thunk it.
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mstearno

Champion Author
Dayton
Posts:8,066 Points:1,731,235 Joined:Jan 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:43:25 PM
idiot
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mfeldstein

Champion Author
Ottawa
Posts:8,171 Points:1,930,480 Joined:Feb 2007
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:42:41 PM
Bureacracy to ensure too many rules and sloooow procedures.
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DerHahn

Champion Author
Illinois
Posts:13,709 Points:2,114,135 Joined:May 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:41:52 PM
with all these tolls popping up, being doubled etc, they won't have to worry about higher mileage as people just won't be driving.
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CDMAuto

Champion Author
Connecticut
Posts:3,793 Points:753,915 Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:33:59 PM
GREED
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kgbellman

Champion Author
Ann Arbor
Posts:2,713 Points:731,840 Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:31:57 PM
unbelievable
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alaskan101

Sophomore Author
Washington
Posts:140 Points:253,575 Joined:Dec 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:31:27 PM
Always get their share..........
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Jeeputtputt

Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:23:33 PM
if they start with these tolls, it will start an uprising!
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ILoveGoldens

All-Star Author
Kentucky
Posts:901 Points:378,880 Joined:Aug 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:20:58 PM
I sure bet that they can find a way to reduce their spending instead...
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DrCashFlow

Champion Author
Massachusetts
Posts:7,064 Points:1,627,125 Joined:Jun 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:20:50 PM
always looking for more power and revenues
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DEG

Champion Author
Las Vegas
Posts:17,620 Points:3,494,705 Joined:Jul 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:19:56 PM
Politicians that propose toll roads need to be recalled or voted out of office.
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monieet

All-Star Author
California
Posts:964 Points:530,080 Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:18:58 PM
Is it working in California?
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clhvn

Champion Author
Columbus
Posts:1,449 Points:101,685 Joined:Jun 2010
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:18:10 PM
I may pay 15% in income tax but after state income, city income, state sales, Social Security, work man's comp, unemployment, gas and Medicare to name a few I'm at 50%. Just another tax.
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big_mac64

Champion Author
Tennessee
Posts:10,593 Points:1,485,690 Joined:May 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:10:44 PM
just another name for a tax
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hcivic

Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:3,854 Points:2,265,715 Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:07:54 PM
he has to go, thats a Republican 4 ya. and I am in Virginia and have to put up with him, cant wait till he leaves
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carloco75

Champion Author
Richmond
Posts:3,716 Points:600,365 Joined:Oct 2010
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:05:38 PM
Silly governor...
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carloco75

Champion Author
Richmond
Posts:3,716 Points:600,365 Joined:Oct 2010
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:05:11 PM
Silly government...
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Night Owl

Champion Author
Toronto
Posts:7,550 Points:1,786,600 Joined:Jul 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 11:02:45 PM
Kick the Virginia governor out of office.
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bvrbill

Champion Author
Eugene
Posts:3,217 Points:518,525 Joined:Jul 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:57:36 PM
Not only do they expect pay-to-use, they will not reduce the current fuel taxes. They just keep squeezing.
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FrankTA2

Champion Author
New York
Posts:4,293 Points:1,095,310 Joined:Jun 2007
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:55:58 PM
We have toll roads in NJ & NY, no big deal.
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OGW

Champion Author
London
Posts:5,324 Points:1,531,150 Joined:Sep 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:53:02 PM
State governments are among the most corrupt in the world.
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Hazelnut

Champion Author
Greensboro
Posts:3,184 Points:937,595 Joined:Sep 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:52:24 PM
This shows that the Feds are broke...
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Hazelnut

Champion Author
Greensboro
Posts:3,184 Points:937,595 Joined:Sep 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:51:45 PM
North Carolina is joining the fray as they are considering I-95 to be a toll road in the near future (soon).
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reeneedan

Champion Author
San Jose
Posts:1,200 Points:385,245 Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:48:19 PM
well this what congress wants so they can use our tax money for their corporate welfare payments
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gdognit1955

Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:6,823 Points:1,360,820 Joined:May 2007
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:47:56 PM
stick it to us anyway they can
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30mpg80

Champion Author
Lexington
Posts:10,019 Points:1,486,880 Joined:Nov 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:46:00 PM
Looking to get thrown out of office
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FlyNFool

Champion Author
South Carolina
Posts:8,244 Points:1,685,200 Joined:Aug 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:40:08 PM
They used to have a toll on 95 years ago in Petersburg.
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tonoplast

All-Star Author
Lexington
Posts:817 Points:447,315 Joined:Apr 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:39:31 PM
If the governor's a millionaire, maybe he should pay more taxes.
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Asbury09

Champion Author
Iowa
Posts:7,213 Points:1,530,305 Joined:Jan 2009
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:38:32 PM
we pay one way or another
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JamesCalvin

Champion Author
Lancaster
Posts:3,186 Points:519,555 Joined:Nov 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2012 10:38:04 PM
Why don't we enact a tax refund based on government spending!
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