Preferred Means of Raising Revenue for Hwy & Bridge Infrastructure (sales, home)

[doctorjef]

So, the Governor wants to have the tax on petrol raised 10 cents a gallon at the pump. I dread that prospect. I had anticipated that tolls on Rt 1 and I-95 would be upped, something that frankly would have minimal effect for me, given our patterns of travel. Of course, that's pure self-interest. I'm hoping if it comes to prices at the pump, we'll see a 5 cent per gallon increase only. Anyway, what do the denizens of the Delaware forum think? Is new revenue needed, and if so, how would you prefer to see it be raised?

[longnecker]

In order to spread the costs to those who live here and those just driving through I would do both. A reasonable increase in road tolls and maybe $.05 in gas tax.

[Kristin730]

Originally Posted by longnecker

In order to spread the costs to those who live here and those just driving through I would do both. A reasonable increase in road tolls and maybe $.05 in gas tax.

I like this. Infrastructure maintenance is important and shouldn't be delayed. Especially after the winter we've had -- probably took years off the lifespan of the roads and bridges. As much as out-of-staters complain about them, the tolls in Delaware are significantly lower than those in neighboring states and could go up without too much pain.

[KEVIN_224]

What would happen if the Diamond State suddenly had a sales tax? Would half of the state's population get up and leave? The closest place to my home state (Connecticut) to which I could compare is New Hampshire. They have no state sales tax, but have plenty on most everything else (i.e. prepared foods tax if you went to McDonald's or Wendy's). A ton of the business in places like Nashua and Salem come from Massachusetts residents crossing the border. New Hampshire has a toll on I-95 in Hampton (New Hampshire Turnpike), the F.E. Everett Turnpike (roughly from Manchester south to Nashua, portions of US 3 and/or I-93) and the Spaulding Turnpike, heading along NH Route 16 out of greater Portsmouth (been a long time since I've been on that road though).

[James420]

The I 95 toll in Delaware is already one of the highest if not the highest on 95 from Maine to Florida, but a 10cent tax hike on gas is a bit much. Maybe Markell is shooting for a high number and the states legislatures bring him back to 5 cents.

I tend to think of the hundreds of millions the state wasted on 202 for Astra Zeneca, and a few years later they laid off more than half of the workers, if not more.

[Kristin730]

Originally Posted by James420

The I 95 toll in Delaware is already one of the highest if not the highest on 95 from Maine to Florida, but a 10cent tax hike on gas is a bit much. Maybe Markell is shooting for a high number and the states legislatures bring him back to 5 cents.

At $4, it's actually one of the lowest. Only New Hampshire is lower.

[James420]

Originally Posted by Kristin730

At $4, it's actually one of the lowest. Only New Hampshire is lower.

Didn't know that, it was on the news the other day as being one of the highest.

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by James420

Didn't know that, it was on the news the other day as being one of the highest.

Maybe if they figure it per mile.

[Kristin730]

Originally Posted by longnecker

Maybe if they figure it per mile.

Even that wouldn't quite compute -- it costs $6 just to cross the Susquehanna River in Maryland (albeit northbound only), and when you get to NYC, about $13 to cross the George Washington Bridge. Plus the tolls in New Jersey where the Turnpike and 95 are the same. The tunnel in Baltimore is another $4. Delaware is a bargain!