Administration wants to let states charge tolls on interstate highways (Representatives, interstates)

[nononsenseguy]

The Interstate Highway System was built using tax dollars from fuel taxes, and is maintained with these tax dollars today. These highways were intended to be free to use (unlike state built turnpikes, which charged a toll to pay for their costs), and part of the reason they were built was to move goods and services more efficiently, and more quickly, and also for reasons of civil defense.

Now the Obama administration is proposing to allow states to charge a toll for the use of these highways, which we have paid for.

"Tucked into the GROW AMERICA Act, the White House's $302 billion transportation bill, is a toll provision that calls for eliminating “the prohibition on tolling existing free Interstate highways, subject to the approval of the Secretary, for purposes of reconstruction."

Taking a Toll: Administration wants to let states charge on interstate highways | Fox News

Once states are allowed to charge whatever they wish for the use of our "free" Interstate Highways, all kinds of abuses are possible.

If you have ever broken down on the "New York Thruway" you know that only state contracted towing companies are allowed on the freeway, and they are not cheap! Their towing rates are very high; but you have no choice but to pay.

This is not a good idea. Contact your representatives and let them know what you think.

[theunbrainwashed]

Why are you complaining? Isn't that what the Right wants? After all, CATO and other libertarian think groups always push for privatizing our highways

[Frank DeForrest]

The fedguv should also stop diverting almost half of the gas tax it collects to other pet programs ( non road).

[Frank DeForrest]

Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed

Why are you complaining? Isn't that what the Right wants? After all, CATO and other libertarian think groups always push for privatizing our highways

So the fed guv will stop taxing gasoline in lieu of?

[saltine]

jsut a sample of a few excuses

administration plan would let states toll interstates to pay for repairs or
replacement of highways

The tolls are designed to encourage more drivers to carpool or use public
transit in an effort to relieve congestion.

giving states the maximum amount of flexibility to use all appropriate
funding and financing tools to meet their 21st century funding challenges."

Take your choice of vaseline...

[saltine]

Originally Posted by Frank DeForrest

So the fed guv will stop taxing gasoline in lieu of?

ahaha......No!..

[legalsea]

Here is a good opinion piece on what the (doomed) legislation would provide:

How the GROW AMERICA Act Could Modernize Federal Transportation Policy | Streetsblog USA

[afoigrokerkok]

I agree with this.

I'm pretty shocked though. Usually Democrats are against toll roads.

People should pay for highways proportionately to how often they use them (and how far they go).

[afoigrokerkok]

Frankly, I'd like to see the gas tax eliminated in favor of tolls, but it should be pointed out that gas tax revenue doesn't even come close to paying for roads.

[bUU]

The criticisms of this proposal are like all the rest of the corrupt right-wing claptrap: When discussing taxes, whine and cry about having to pay the costs maintaining civilization; and then when discussing tolls, whine and cry about efforts to reduce the tax burden of maintaining civilization. It is a laugh-riot watching right-wingers desperately dancing around trying to find a way to complain about not being Lords and Masters of the domain.

Personally, I don't like the administration's proposal, but for reasonable and principled reasons: The way we've structured society, these highways are essential aspects of life for commuters and owners of small business, and it is in the best interest of those less fortunate members of society to cover the cost of maintaining these highways through progressive taxation, like income tax, rather than by means that are more like a use tax, like tolls or gasoline taxes.