A question for Texas drivers?

Question

Texas is considering replacing the gas tax (like it will actually go away.....they won't give up THAT revenue) with a "mileage tax", based on how many miles you drive. This is because they say that the gas tax doesn't provide enough funds to maintain roads and highways in Texas.

Yet, they've been raiding the gas tax funds for other projects: "Education" (wasn't the lottery supposed to be funding that?), pet projects (a local radio station reported that funds from the gas tax were being used to build parking lots), etc.

What are you opinions on this?

References:
http://radio.woai.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=119078&article=2403884
http://thetolltruth.com/gas-tax-toll-road.html

Colorful: Gas taxes are supposed to go for maintaining roads and highways.

Locked: We're fighting the toll roads here in San Antonio now, but it looks like a losing battle since the politicians stand to make too much money off of it.

Amos: I agree. And, incidentally, with the current system they're not only taxing the mileage on my cars, they're taxing the mileage on my lawn mowers, my chain saw, my weed trimmer, etc.

Answer 1

I haven't heard anything about it, but it wouldn't surprise me. That makes about as much sense as trying to sell the management of toll roads to corporations outside of Texas (or the United States in some cases) rather than keeping the money here for roads/bridges.

That is why I voted for Carol rather than Rick.

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Yes, the Lottery was supposed to fund education.

At this rate, they'll have to allow casinos just so they can tap some of that money to pay for road construction/repair.

Answer 2

Sounds like some B.S. to me. They just want more $ period.
Over in Houston, they created the Westpark Toll Road which you could only ride on if you possess an EZ Tag account. Well from SW it can get you down town in 10 minutes, but so many people were using it, it became slow as hell. Now in order to alleviate the traffic, they were proposing to double the price of the Toll to deter drivers from using it? They've already taken large amounts of funds to pay for this thing. Nice to know my tax dollars are hard are work.

Answer 3

When ANY politician mentions a new or "changed"
tax,we will end up paying more.Current tax system does account for mileage:if you drive more,you will buy more gas and pay a higher amount of tax based on the increase amount of gas used.Current tax also accounts for the SUV argument:lower mileage means more fuel purchased,etc...
NEVER trust a politician who says they have a better idea.

Answer 4

I'm a Texan, and I already feel like I need a barrel with suspenders and not cloths. My pockets get picked on by taxes more and more everytime I get paid. Here in Brownsville Texas the mayor doesn't want to raise taxes so he added a 2 dollar increase in our water bill to pay for the dog pound, ems, police, fire fighters. All this time I thought this is what I was paying taxes for already

Answer 5

I haven't heard anything about this and no one around me has said anything, but I think it is stupid. I thought the gas taxes are supposed to fund the war? I'm not for the war or anything but I thought that was the reason. I don't keep up with current events, but this idea is illogical.

Answer 6

All I know about Texas drivers is that one of them was caught driving drunk in Maine, and then lied about it when he ran for President 24 years later, and the press didn't care enough to say he shouldn't be President, letting him get away with something they would never have let the incumbent get away with.