Is illinois for real with all the potholes? (Atlanta, Raleigh: health insurance, employment)

[linicx]

All the monies collected is dispersed according to need. Generally speaking the largest cities have the greatest need. They also pay the greatest taxes that go to state coffers.

[Jimmyp25]

that 355 probably rolls in at least 5 million a day...total joke...especially when everything is falling apart

[ChiTownWonder]

[ChiTownWonder]

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Jimmyp25

that 355 probably rolls in at least 5 million a day...total joke...especially when everything is falling apart

The tolls remain in the Tollway system. For repair and rebuilding and probably a little bit for the typical IL "friends & family" programs.

IL is BILLIONS in debt so money is scarce. Federal funding for infrastructure is reduced because the gasoline tax has not been raised in decades while vehicles continue to get better mileage. Idiots like Grover Nordquist and his cronies who insist on "No New Tax" pledges have us in a penny wise/dollar foolish spiral towards 2nd or 3rd world status with our infrastructure. Never mind that BOTH trade unions AND big business feel strongly that improving infrastructure is good for both job creation and growing the economy!

If you want roads that stay in good condition, move south to the sun belt. Their only real issues are roads wearing down due to heavy traffic and heat buckling in the hot summer months. The freeze thaw cycle wreaks havoc on roads!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Jimmyp25

Is illinois for real with all the potholes?

Is ___________ (insert snow belt state here) for real with all the potholes?

[Jimmyp25]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

The tolls remain in the Tollway system. For repair and rebuilding and probably a little bit for the typical IL "friends & family" programs.

IL is BILLIONS in debt so money is scarce. Federal funding for infrastructure is reduced because the gasoline tax has not been raised in decades while vehicles continue to get better mileage. Idiots like Grover Nordquist and his cronies who insist on "No New Tax" pledges have us in a penny wise/dollar foolish spiral towards 2nd or 3rd world status with our infrastructure. Never mind that BOTH trade unions AND big business feel strongly that improving infrastructure is good for both job creation and growing the economy!

If you want roads that stay in good condition, move south to the sun belt. Their only real issues are roads wearing down due to heavy traffic and heat buckling in the hot summer months. The freeze thaw cycle wreaks havoc on roads!

you read my mind...actually i am moving the hell out of here in june to texas... not a big fan on how things are being ran here..

[cubssoxfan]

Enjoy the Toll Roads in Texas. They are popping up all over the state because they do not have the funding for building new Freeways. I like Texas, but good luck in not getting cabin fever during the hot, oppressive TX summer.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Enjoy the Toll Roads in Texas. They are popping up all over the state because they do not have the funding for building new Freeways. I like Texas, but good luck in not getting cabin fever during the hot, oppressive TX summer.

I agree. I think people put too much stock in the "grass is always greener," side of things. When I was younger, my family moved to the Austin area for a little while, and I remember my Dad mentioning things regarding low taxes and lower COL there. The summer we spent there was miserably oppressive, traffic was pretty bad, and they just taxed you in different ways (or just didn't provide services). We were actually back in Illinois within a year. Not all problems magically disappear by moving.

[Guineas]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

IL is BILLIONS in debt so money is scarce. Federal funding for infrastructure is reduced because the gasoline tax has not been raised in decades while vehicles continue to get better mileage. Idiots like Grover Nordquist and his cronies who insist on "No New Tax" pledges have us in a penny wise/dollar foolish spiral towards 2nd or 3rd world status with our infrastructure. Never mind that BOTH trade unions AND big business feel strongly that improving infrastructure is good for both job creation and growing the economy!

You've got to be kidding me!!

We don't have a low tax burden in this country when you include our federal, state, local and property taxes. It is a myth that our tax burden is significantly lower than Europe's, although European countries do have the VAT which is extremely regressive. Illinois also has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country, and you're lamenting that gas taxes haven't been raised in decades while "vehicles continue to get better mileage." Are you for real? Gas was under a buck a gallon not that long ago. The states have been making a killing with gas taxes now that gasoline is $3-$4/ga, a far bigger jump than the improvement in gas mileage. Unfortunately the roads aren't even treading water, much less than 3x better.

How much tax is enough for you? Another way to get us to 2nd and 3rd world status is to repeat the Big Dig (you know those infrastructure projects) over and over again. We have more than enough tax revenues to do the projects and provide the services we want. The problem is we're very wasteful in using this money, and a large portion of our tax revenues now go towards overpromised pension liabilities and debt service payments, and not to actual services in the present. More indiscriminate tax increases just feeds this waste and irresponsibility.