[Newsbot]

Title: White House opens door to tolls on interstate highways, removing long-standing prohibition
Category: Uncle Sam
Posted By: martin14
Date: 2014-04-30 08:10:30

[martin14]

$1:

That source, the Highway Trust Fund, relies on the 18.4-cent federal gas tax, which has eroded steadily as vehicles have become more energy efficient.

Guess Obongo ran out of hope and needs more change.

[BartSimpson]

This is easy: The states should end the Federal Fuel tax if it's no longer going to be used to pay for the upkeep of the roads. Because that's what's really at stake here is that an ever-increasing amount of fuel tax funds have been diverted to the General Fund to pay for other things. And now the Obama Administration needs every penny it can get to paper over the cluster f*ck of Obamacare.

Oregon is blaming their failure on a coding issue:

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/oregon-nevad ... -exchanges

Yet the truth is that the people who have to sign up for Obamacare so they can subsidize all the people who are getting Obamacare for 'free' are refusing to sign up. The system is going to collapse because there's not enough money to fund ongoing operations.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/ ... d-n1805244

[DanSC]

They won't raise the fuel tax because that's political suicide, but making interstates into toll roads is more palatable to citizens? Huh?

[bootlegga]

And there goes the economy...tourism, interstate commerce, road side services (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.).

The Interstate system was one of the key factors in American economic ascendance, but this could seriously hamper a huge chunk of the national economy.

[bootlegga]

DanSC DanSC:

They won't raise the fuel tax because that's political suicide, but making interstates into toll roads is more palatable to citizens? Huh?

From what I've seen, the US is all about tolls and user fees to cover things (co-pays anyone?) that are covered by taxes here in Canada.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Aren't some interstates already toll roads depending on the state? I remember hitting a LOT of toll booths on I-94 going through Illinois.

[DanSC]

bootlegga bootlegga:

DanSC DanSC:

They won't raise the fuel tax because that's political suicide, but making interstates into toll roads is more palatable to citizens? Huh?

From what I've seen, the US is all about tolls and user fees to cover things (co-pays anyone?) that are covered by taxes here in Canada.

The gas tax IS a toll and user fee, with a built-in environmental incentive package.

[andyt]

Gas tax is the way to go, for sure. Much cheaper to collect as well.

[martin14]

PublicAnimalNo9 PublicAnimalNo9:

Aren't some interstates already toll roads depending on the state? I remember hitting a LOT of toll booths on I-94 going through Illinois.

Older toll highways grandfathered into the system.

I believe they don't qualify for federal funding though.

[DanSC]

martin14 martin14:

Older toll highways grandfathered into the system.

They are also a great jobs program for toll takers and administrators.

[martin14]

DanSC DanSC:

martin14 martin14:

Older toll highways grandfathered into the system.

They are also a great jobs program for toll takers and administrators.

I regularly travel through Spain, France and Italy.

Every 4 lane expressway is tolled. Everything here is more expensive because of it.

Oh and it is all privatized now, so the gov't doesnt get the money.

Obongo is really out to destroy the US.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Depending on the tolls and how they collect them, it might not be that bad really.

I'm sure rates have likely gone up since, but back in 2005-2007 I could drive the NY Thruway from Buffalo to the Mass Turnpike, a distance of over 200 miles for the low toll of $11-$12 and change. And all without stopping at a toll booth every 5 minutes.

When I compare that to the 407 in Ontario, it cost me $7 to drive from Toronto to Milton, a drive time of about 20 minutes.

[bootlegga]

DanSC DanSC:

bootlegga bootlegga:

From what I've seen, the US is all about tolls and user fees to cover things (co-pays anyone?) that are covered by taxes here in Canada.

The gas tax IS a toll and user fee, with a built-in environmental incentive package.

Then by that argument, a sales tax is some sort of commerce fee? Income tax is a citizenship fee? Please...

A gas tax is not a fee, it's a tax. A toll on highway is a fee.

[andyt]

What's the diff? You pay it either way. A gas tax is way cheaper to collect and more broadly distributed, has the advantage of promoting conservation as well.