Would you raise gas tax or legalize statewide commercial gambling? (Coolidge: how much, hotels)

[Hschlick84]

A bill was introduced in the AZ state house by state rep Noel Campbell recently. It would raise the gas tax since 1991. Gas tax is currently at .18 per gallon and its suppose to cover streets, roads and anything transportation related. What the bill will do it raise the gas tax to .46 per gallon by 2021.

Bill in Arizona State Legislature aims to raise gas tax - Story | KSAZ

If this were going to be on a ballot for people to vote on as a referendum, would you vote to raise the gas tax to .46 per gallon by 2021?

An alternative proposed would be to legalize statewide commercial gambling in AZ as an initiative. Some of the tax revenue depending on how much casinos make would be used to fund roads, bridges and anything transportation related projects. It's a better alternative than raising the gas tax, which I believe most people are against.

What is your opinion?

[Burning Madolf]

I would vote to raise the gas tax if it actually went to roads. It wouldn't so I wouldn't.

[Hschlick84]

I'd be against raising the gas tax because it effects everybody, especially semi truck drivers. W/ statewide legal commercial casinos, the taxes pay for roads and bridges. Whoever dislikes gambling, they simply don't go.

[yukon]

That's too big of a tax hike in a short period of time. I'd vote against it.

I would, however, vote for legalized pot and using part of the tax for roads and bridges.

[Hschlick84]

Originally Posted by yukon

That's too big of a tax hike in a short period of time. I'd vote against it.

I would, however, vote for legalized pot and using part of the tax for roads and bridges.

I would vote for this also.

[JGMotorsport64]

Im not sure I’d want to legalize commercial gambling statewide. The reservations do a good job already and by spreading it around we’d have a larger quantity of lower quality casinos instead of the rather good ones we have.

I would vote to legalize pot however and use that so I echo the above poster.

[sh9730]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

I'd be against raising the gas tax because it effects everybody, especially semi truck drivers. W/ statewide legal commercial casinos, the taxes pay for roads and bridges. Whoever dislikes gambling, they simply don't go.

So, as like many issues - I am in the middle on this one. But to your concern - many of the big transportation lobbies are actually in SUPPORT of this increase - because they have done the math and congestion and poor roads costs them much more in lost business and productivity than this tax ever would.

The problem is that there are a lot more cars on the road now - but they are much more efficient - so the fuel usage is lower. Add in to that the addition of electric vehicles, and soon electric semi trucks (see Nikola Motors who will be building a factory in Coolidge, AZ) and then combine the inflation factor into it and we have been going BACKWARDS on transportation funding for a long time.

Actually I just today attended a presentation on the Governor's proposed budget - which thankfully will be restoring much of the funding they took from local government transportation budgets over the last decade - because of the 32 dollar fee on registration.

As for gambling instead - I have no position on that either way.

[wit-nit]

They don't even use current gas taxes now for road work. It's siphoned off for other projects. Let the gamblers tax be used for it.

[Adamson865]

Legalize gambling yes, legalize pot yes, but no new taxes. Repeal the registration "fee". They can make do with what they have.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Im not sure I’d want to legalize commercial gambling statewide. The reservations do a good job already and by spreading it around we’d have a larger quantity of lower quality casinos instead of the rather good ones we have.

The "rather good" casinos certainly haven't made life on the reservations any better. Within a few miles of the casinos, hotels, and shopping centers are dilapidated shacks, and conditions reminiscent of a third world nation. Legalize statewide gambling and the revenue would go to the state, not the tribes, which is what I would prefer.

Originally Posted by Adamson520

Legalize gambling yes, legalize pot yes, but no new taxes. Repeal the registration "fee". They can make do with what they have.

Agreed! Arizona would do well to be more like Nevada: legalize gambling, marijuana, and prostitution. Use the revenue for roads & public safety. Also, get rid of the state income tax.