Now’s the time to raise money for roads
As a conservative, my knee jerks against almost all new taxes. Taxes enacted to solve a problem never seem to go away, even after the problem is solved. Legislators, like most of us, enjoying spending other people’s money. They spend on the legislators’ favorite projects. They argue for road repairs, but instead build roadside parks or exit ramps to some supporter’s business.
On the other hand, our roads are in pretty bad shape, so here’s a suggestion.
Gas prices are roughly a buck and half less than recent norms. Let’s have a 15-cent surcharge for six months or a year. It expires automatically at the end of the time and can only be used for maintenance and repairs of existing roads.
That tithe is roughly 10% of consumer savings. Sounds Biblical doesn’t it?
Here’s something else Biblical. Remember when Jesus was questioned about taxes? He held up a Roman coin and replied, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”
It seems, the Jews depended on Roman coins for commerce, Roman legions to keep the Persians in Persia, and, wait for it … Roman roads. Jesus might have said, “Pay for what you use.”
There’s one more Biblical lesson that applies. Remember Joseph and the seven years of bounty to be followed by seven years of famine. I doubt we’ll have seven years of low gas prices, but analysts think oil supplies will exceed demand for the next year or so.
Let’s fix the roads in this bountiful time.
Bob Altman
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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