[azkylady2]

I have traveled through the area several times, I just remmeber the interstates as being so messed up. bumpy, pot holes, we just thought there must not be much money to put into road care, has that improved?

[PurpleLove08]

Uhm.....they are working on it around where I live (central part of Arkansas) but to me it's not all that bad. There are some pretty dangerous spots but the pot holes are not that bad IMO. =]

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by azkylady2

I have traveled through the area several times, I just remmeber the interstates as being so messed up. bumpy, pot holes, we just thought there must not be much money to put into road care, has that improved?

The roads, among many other things, were hideously neglected back in the '80's and 90's, when Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker were governors, in spite of frequent tax hikes. Mike Huckabee got some sort of road bond passed in the late 90's, or early 2000's (don't remember specifically) that GREATLY improved the interstates. Unfortunately, taxes didn't go down under the Republican governor, but he left Arkansas in better condition than I've ever seen the state in.
When I last lived there, about 4 years ago, they were finishing up the last bits and pieces of the road work, on interstates, anyway. Arkansas went from having the worst roads in the country, according to surveys and truckers, to one of the best. Truck drivers traveling across country used to go out of their way to by-pass the entire state.

[bagelw]

Originally Posted by azkylady2

I have traveled through the area several times, I just remmeber the interstates as being so messed up. bumpy, pot holes, we just thought there must not be much money to put into road care, has that improved?

I believe the state has repaved every interstate in the state and most of the state highways as well. Now if we could just get them to widen a few of them like 540 thru Fayetteville.

[nmnita]

We have lived in 5 states, with the exception of Calif, Arkansas road are certainly no worse than other states, better than some.

Nita

[azkylady2]

Originally Posted by northbound74

The roads, among many other things, were hideously neglected back in the '80's and 90's, when Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker were governors, in spite of frequent tax hikes. Mike Huckabee got some sort of road bond passed in the late 90's, or early 2000's (don't remember specifically) that GREATLY improved the interstates. Unfortunately, taxes didn't go down under the Republican governor, but he left Arkansas in better condition than I've ever seen the state in.
When I last lived there, about 4 years ago, they were finishing up the last bits and pieces of the road work, on interstates, anyway. Arkansas went from having the worst roads in the country, according to surveys and truckers, to one of the best. Truck drivers traveling across country used to go out of their way to by-pass the entire state.

I have to tell you though, we had some car trouble and had to stop there in Arkansas to have the car checked out, they could have easily taken advantage of us travelers, but, they were great people they were honest and said the car did have a problem but that it wasen't serious enough that we couldn't get to where we were heading before repairs were needed and they did not charge us a dime! we were pulling a small trailer and they just advised us to stay at a certain speed and the trans would be fine. And it was for two more years

[roosterspur]

You would think Arkansas would have much better roads with all the taxes they put on the people who live there ? Taxes like personal property tax which you'll find only in Arkansas , and a state income tax which comes out of your pay along with the federal income tax . The Arkansas people have paid these taxes for so long they think its that way everywhere . Wake up people of Arkansas its not that way everywhere !
Some states do NOT have a state income tax and none but ARkansas have the personal property tax (you pay taxes on all your stuff like clothes,furniture and anything you paid taxes on when you bought it, but, Arkansas wants you to be taxed until you die !!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by roosterspur

You would think Arkansas would have much better roads with all the taxes they put on the people who live there ? Taxes like personal property tax which you'll find only in Arkansas , and a state income tax which comes out of your pay along with the federal income tax . The Arkansas people have paid these taxes for so long they think its that way everywhere . Wake up people of Arkansas its not that way everywhere !
Some states do NOT have a state income tax and none but ARkansas have the personal property tax (you pay taxes on all your stuff like clothes,furniture and anything you paid taxes on when you bought it, but, Arkansas wants you to be taxed until you die !!

Do I understand you? Personal property tax is something that only exists in AR? I would argue that statement. As for no income tax, that is true, but there are only a few states where you can escape this tax, would you like to look at their property taxes? Just ask anyone who lives in TX about property taxes...Yes, overall, AR does have some pretty hefty taxes but for those who think the roads are bad, I would suggest you travel through several other states. Pot holes go with lots of rain and or snow; this is just a fact. As for state income tax coming out of your pay check, where else would you expect it to come from?

Where one decides to live and why is her/his choice, but salaries and cost of living do go hand in hand. I guess when you are very young you look at things differently than as you get older. Taxes for instance, what taxes affect who can determine where one would want to live. I may in a situation where income tax doesn't bother me because our income is on the lower end (retired) but property taxes do affect me. A young person, not a home owner may care more about other taxes. Living in as many states as we have, I can assure most of you, it is very similar in the end. NM has a very high state income tax as well but their roads are a nightmare and the poverty level is quite high.

Nita

[adysmom]

Originally Posted by azkylady2

I have to tell you though, we had some car trouble and had to stop there in Arkansas to have the car checked out, they could have easily taken advantage of us travelers, but, they were great people they were honest and said the car did have a problem but that it wasen't serious enough that we couldn't get to where we were heading before repairs were needed and they did not charge us a dime! we were pulling a small trailer and they just advised us to stay at a certain speed and the trans would be fine. And it was for two more years

That's Arkansas for ya

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by roosterspur

You would think Arkansas would have much better roads with all the taxes they put on the people who live there ? Taxes like personal property tax which you'll find only in Arkansas , and a state income tax which comes out of your pay along with the federal income tax . The Arkansas people have paid these taxes for so long they think its that way everywhere . Wake up people of Arkansas its not that way everywhere !
Some states do NOT have a state income tax and none but ARkansas have the personal property tax (you pay taxes on all your stuff like clothes,furniture and anything you paid taxes on when you bought it, but, Arkansas wants you to be taxed until you die !!

LMAO, I've NEVER paid personal property tax on my furniture, clothes or anything else except for car!! I don't know where you live but if your county assessor is coming into your home and making you pay taxes on everything else then I think you're being conned!