You’ve certainly identified a legitimate problem; one of many.
Here’s where I’m coming from.
“They” propose some new way of obtaining funds for highway (etc.) construction. In response, too many conservatives just bleat “Bastards! They’re scamming us!”.
It’s entirely possible that “they” are scamming us. Even probable, in many cases. But:
1) Roads etc. aren’t free.
2) The people who use them should pay for them.
3) The people who build, maintain, and repair them need be honest, efficient, and prompt in doing their jobs.
(3) above seems to be a huge problem with government owned roads.
We’ve answered your inquiries, which are based on a false premise.
The gas tax revenues that the Feds are taking in are not going to roads or road maintenance. They are spent on unrelated transportation projects or to subsidize so-called “green” energy projects.
Kill the Federal gas tax and get the Feds out of highway funding.
I actually have no problem that OR is implementing a per-mile gas tax. As long as it stays within that state and my money doesn’t support it.
I think most FReepers get it even if they don’t fully express what you’ve just summarized in your points 1-3. The issue is the Tragedy of the Commons. In Illinois we have ‘prevailing wage’ which just means that public projects must be done at the union determined scale. Worse, we have politicians who make money on it via campaign donations and kick-backs legal and illegal.
You have a serious corruption problem and a free rider problem as well. Perhaps a toll system is best, but then you have the trouble of a near complete monopoly. I think the correct solution is to end prevailing wage and let the market determine prices. Transparency and public indignation will do the rest.
$2 million per mile v. $20 million per mile is a no brainer. Let’s say they fudge and end up at $11 million per mile. That’s still a near 50% cost savings. The real problem is that this money gets used for other purposes - bike paths, trains, etc. - it even ends up in general fund.
Our current model of public governance, control over the ‘commons’, isn’t working and hasn’t worked in a half century. I don’t know the perfect solution, but I know which direction I want to go and it isn’t more government control.