Submitted by Terry Parker on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 8:42pm.
I agree – great post. Oil Sheik
But let’s also look at another way:
Sam, you are getting just what you and Metro want - “Drive less save more”.
The problem is driving less and in more efficient vehicles also means less revenue for transportation projects since motor vehicle users supply the primary source of funds for ALL transport projects. Because of the proposed special interest discounts applied in your proposed Street Maintenance Fee, the majority of the revenue raised would still come from the same people who are already paying the majority of transport taxes as motorists. For that reason and because these are tough economic times, I consider the Street Maintenance Fee DOA on the November ballot. Furthermore, raising the gas tax would also continue the lack of equity in transport funding by still relying on only the motorists for revenue.
Part of a reality check and non-discriminatory answer continues to be to broaden the base of transport revenue sources by taxing the alternative modes of vehicle transport. That requires you seeing the light and breaking ranks with your bicycle buddies by establishing a bicycle tax, toll, license and/or registration fee. It also requires adding a surcharge attached transit fares, possibly an extra nickel or dime a ride, to compensate for the heavy damage TriMet’s busses do to streets and roads.
The bottom line is that if you want more funding for transportation without further crippling household budgets and the local economy at the same time, then you must, as much as you hate to, set your ego aside and admit that I am on the right track!!!
Reality Ck-Broaden the tax base to other transport modes
I agree – great post. Oil Sheik
But let’s also look at another way:
Sam, you are getting just what you and Metro want - “Drive less save more”.
The problem is driving less and in more efficient vehicles also means less revenue for transportation projects since motor vehicle users supply the primary source of funds for ALL transport projects. Because of the proposed special interest discounts applied in your proposed Street Maintenance Fee, the majority of the revenue raised would still come from the same people who are already paying the majority of transport taxes as motorists. For that reason and because these are tough economic times, I consider the Street Maintenance Fee DOA on the November ballot. Furthermore, raising the gas tax would also continue the lack of equity in transport funding by still relying on only the motorists for revenue.
Part of a reality check and non-discriminatory answer continues to be to broaden the base of transport revenue sources by taxing the alternative modes of vehicle transport. That requires you seeing the light and breaking ranks with your bicycle buddies by establishing a bicycle tax, toll, license and/or registration fee. It also requires adding a surcharge attached transit fares, possibly an extra nickel or dime a ride, to compensate for the heavy damage TriMet’s busses do to streets and roads.
The bottom line is that if you want more funding for transportation without further crippling household budgets and the local economy at the same time, then you must, as much as you hate to, set your ego aside and admit that I am on the right track!!!