"On behalf of the hardworking, taxpaying citizens who are not interested in financing a transportation behemoth and boondoggle..."
Focus: Toll Roads
02/21/2006
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
Prefer gas tax increase
Texas Transportation Commission board member Hope Andrade pooh-poohed increased gas taxes in favor of tolled highways in her letter "Gas tax idea unrealistic" (Wednesday).
She said she has yet to hear an outcry from citizens for an "increased mandatory fuel tax every time they fill up their gas tanks." Well, as a 16-year resident of Stone Oak, count me as part of the group that would prefer increased gas taxes over tolls every time I drive on Loop 1604 or U.S. 281.
According to a Texas comptroller's office revenue chart, a 5-cents-per-gallon increase would provide a 10 percent increase in the transportation budget, which is more than enough to build the necessary additional lanes in all congested areas citywide. A mere nickel-per-gallon increase is far preferable to the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per year that area commuters will be forced to pay for the "privilege" of driving on toll roads. Those who operate on a limited budget (and don't we all?) will be forced to drive on free access roads with lighted intersections, which will create new and frustrating sources of congestion.
The Texas Department of Transportation claims toll roads are the only answer, but simply constructing overpasses will greatly reduce congestion. I plead with elected officials to intervene on behalf of the hardworking, taxpaying citizens who are not interested in financing a transportation behemoth and boondoggle.
— Laura Mrachek
Lining their own pockets
Re: Joseph Krier's comment "Toll roads pave way to a better future" (Feb. 9):
Now I agree with that, if and when the toll roads can take the likes of the chairman of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition and president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and his associates out of town and out of our pockets.
These good citizen leaders are responsible for the "goat trail" streets and expressways that are the traffic problem. Municipalities that had citizens with foresight and planning instincts laid out streets that run north to south and east to west.
In San Antonio's street format, toll roads will not reduce congestion but will line some pockets for a decade or two. For 37 years I experienced the joy of stop-and-go driving, waiting to pay to cross the Golden Gate or San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridges.
If the rush hours are a problem, consider alternating work-shift starting and stopping times. Would not that be a sensible solution first?
Politicians get paid even when they don't show up to work. Their contract does not require their presence, and they don't have to fight traffic.
We citizens are involved in this and should give it serious time in our thoughts and voice to the elected, who don't always show up.
— Weldon C. Gray
Give drivers a choice
I agree with Joe Krier's comment in support of tolls. This is about defining our quality of life as this city continues to grow. By 2030, the estimated population will be 2.4 million in San Antonio.
As a working mom, I want the choice of paying a toll to get out of traffic, get to work faster, pick up my kids, run errands and get home to spend more time with my family. Nobody wants to pay tolls, but the alternatives stink! Traffic congestion, gridlock, increased gas taxes and long waits to get home.
As a business owner, I also need the choice to pay tolls to avoid congestion, which will allow my company to continue to operate efficiently and provide responsive and reliable service and high-paying local jobs. There are no other alternatives to solve our transportation funding shortage.
— Brenda Vickrey Johnson Note: Brenda Vickrey Johnson is President of Vickery & Associates (a TxDOT contractor) . LINK HERE
Public oversight is lost
Re: the comment "Before blasting tolls, consider some facts" (Feb. 5) by Michael W. Behrens, director of the Texas Department of Transportation:
I am not necessarily opposed to toll roads. What I am opposed to is toll roads run by private enterprises, especially when those roads were paid for with taxpayer money.
What happens if private companies run toll roads? First, all financial oversight is lost. The only accountability is to the management of the corporation, which has as its sole purpose the maximization of profits.
Second, once you allow the privatization of toll roads, companies will be constantly trying to privatize roads anywhere they can, justified or not. It's in their financial interest to do so.
Third, employees will probably be paid the minimum amount the market will bear, usually without benefits or retirement programs and, undoubtedly, no union to fight for them.
And, finally, all profits will go to pay inflated management salaries, bonuses and, most important, returns to investors. Not very egalitarian or sound public transportation policy.
On the other hand, if toll roads were run for the public good, first we would be adding well-paying jobs with benefits. Second, profits could go toward road maintenance and construction, which, as Behrens pointed out, are always in dire need of money, and funding public transportation not dependent on fossil fuels. This could be done without adding or raising taxes by using the money that would have gone for private profit for the common good.
— Eric F. Lane
Set an expiration date
Thank you for Carlos Guerra's columns pertaining to toll roads.
Toll roads should be authorized in very limited circumstances. Once approved, they should be totally funded by private interests, no tax dollars involved, and should have a finite date at which the toll would be eliminated. This would be the latest date at which this action could occur, but could be advanced if any necessary bonds are retired prior to that time.
There is absolutely no way our tax dollars should be used for this purpose. That is called double taxation, at the minimum. I, and most people I have talked to, would drive considerably out of the way to avoid them.
On U.S. 281, overpasses and one additional lane in each direction should be immediately put in place.
— Art Carpenter, Canyon Lake
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News: www.mysanantonio.com
02/21/2006
San Antonio Express-News
Copyright 2006
Prefer gas tax increase
Texas Transportation Commission board member Hope Andrade pooh-poohed increased gas taxes in favor of tolled highways in her letter "Gas tax idea unrealistic" (Wednesday).
She said she has yet to hear an outcry from citizens for an "increased mandatory fuel tax every time they fill up their gas tanks." Well, as a 16-year resident of Stone Oak, count me as part of the group that would prefer increased gas taxes over tolls every time I drive on Loop 1604 or U.S. 281.
According to a Texas comptroller's office revenue chart, a 5-cents-per-gallon increase would provide a 10 percent increase in the transportation budget, which is more than enough to build the necessary additional lanes in all congested areas citywide. A mere nickel-per-gallon increase is far preferable to the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per year that area commuters will be forced to pay for the "privilege" of driving on toll roads. Those who operate on a limited budget (and don't we all?) will be forced to drive on free access roads with lighted intersections, which will create new and frustrating sources of congestion.
The Texas Department of Transportation claims toll roads are the only answer, but simply constructing overpasses will greatly reduce congestion. I plead with elected officials to intervene on behalf of the hardworking, taxpaying citizens who are not interested in financing a transportation behemoth and boondoggle.
— Laura Mrachek
Lining their own pockets
Re: Joseph Krier's comment "Toll roads pave way to a better future" (Feb. 9):
Now I agree with that, if and when the toll roads can take the likes of the chairman of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition and president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and his associates out of town and out of our pockets.
These good citizen leaders are responsible for the "goat trail" streets and expressways that are the traffic problem. Municipalities that had citizens with foresight and planning instincts laid out streets that run north to south and east to west.
In San Antonio's street format, toll roads will not reduce congestion but will line some pockets for a decade or two. For 37 years I experienced the joy of stop-and-go driving, waiting to pay to cross the Golden Gate or San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridges.
If the rush hours are a problem, consider alternating work-shift starting and stopping times. Would not that be a sensible solution first?
Politicians get paid even when they don't show up to work. Their contract does not require their presence, and they don't have to fight traffic.
We citizens are involved in this and should give it serious time in our thoughts and voice to the elected, who don't always show up.
— Weldon C. Gray
Give drivers a choice
I agree with Joe Krier's comment in support of tolls. This is about defining our quality of life as this city continues to grow. By 2030, the estimated population will be 2.4 million in San Antonio.
As a working mom, I want the choice of paying a toll to get out of traffic, get to work faster, pick up my kids, run errands and get home to spend more time with my family. Nobody wants to pay tolls, but the alternatives stink! Traffic congestion, gridlock, increased gas taxes and long waits to get home.
As a business owner, I also need the choice to pay tolls to avoid congestion, which will allow my company to continue to operate efficiently and provide responsive and reliable service and high-paying local jobs. There are no other alternatives to solve our transportation funding shortage.
— Brenda Vickrey Johnson Note: Brenda Vickrey Johnson is President of Vickery & Associates (a TxDOT contractor) .
Public oversight is lost
Re: the comment "Before blasting tolls, consider some facts" (Feb. 5) by Michael W. Behrens, director of the Texas Department of Transportation:
I am not necessarily opposed to toll roads. What I am opposed to is toll roads run by private enterprises, especially when those roads were paid for with taxpayer money.
What happens if private companies run toll roads? First, all financial oversight is lost. The only accountability is to the management of the corporation, which has as its sole purpose the maximization of profits.
Second, once you allow the privatization of toll roads, companies will be constantly trying to privatize roads anywhere they can, justified or not. It's in their financial interest to do so.
Third, employees will probably be paid the minimum amount the market will bear, usually without benefits or retirement programs and, undoubtedly, no union to fight for them.
And, finally, all profits will go to pay inflated management salaries, bonuses and, most important, returns to investors. Not very egalitarian or sound public transportation policy.
On the other hand, if toll roads were run for the public good, first we would be adding well-paying jobs with benefits. Second, profits could go toward road maintenance and construction, which, as Behrens pointed out, are always in dire need of money, and funding public transportation not dependent on fossil fuels. This could be done without adding or raising taxes by using the money that would have gone for private profit for the common good.
— Eric F. Lane
Set an expiration date
Thank you for Carlos Guerra's columns pertaining to toll roads.
Toll roads should be authorized in very limited circumstances. Once approved, they should be totally funded by private interests, no tax dollars involved, and should have a finite date at which the toll would be eliminated. This would be the latest date at which this action could occur, but could be advanced if any necessary bonds are retired prior to that time.
There is absolutely no way our tax dollars should be used for this purpose. That is called double taxation, at the minimum. I, and most people I have talked to, would drive considerably out of the way to avoid them.
On U.S. 281, overpasses and one additional lane in each direction should be immediately put in place.
— Art Carpenter, Canyon Lake
© 2006 San Antonio Express-News:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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