[Swankette]

What other methods? The federal gas tax is not enough to maintain our current roads and build additional...the state gas tax is distributed throughout the entire state and not all Austin taxes are kept in Austin...local taxation won't work because people passing through using the roads don't pay a tax for it...

What do you propose?

[illumini]

I'm listening to options including an increase in the gas tax, and perhaps regional bonds. I am very confident that we Americans are creative and bright enough to solve this.

Bring your friends and family to the RECALL RALLY Monday night. Remember: 17 cent per mile toll = a $3.40 per gallon gas tax. We don't want that.

[illumini]

I'm listening to options including an increase in the gas tax, and perhaps regional bonds. I am very confident that we Americans are creative and bright enough to solve this.

Bring your friends and family to the RECALL RALLY Monday night. Remember: 17 cent per mile toll = a $3.40 per gallon gas tax. We don't want that.

[BearCub]

What other methods? The federal gas tax is not enough to maintain our current roads and build additional...the state gas tax is distributed throughout the entire state and not all Austin taxes are kept in Austin...local taxation won't work because people passing through using the roads don't pay a tax for it... What do you propose?

IMO it's simple. we already know the existing taxes are sufficient to maintain the existing roads. So keep them free. NO existing road should be converted to a toll road.

Then build the tollways ONLY if there is a reasonable (existing) free route available. The people who benefit from the tollways will pay for them.

The problem is that existing highways that are long paid-for are being turned into tollways and the funds used to pay for projects across town or in another city.

[Proud_texan]

"What other methods?"

For starters use the .025% sales tax that goes to the Cap Metro money black hole. Put Cap Metro on a pay as you go business and use the existing surplus (which they're hording for light rail after it's been defeated, what, four times) and ongoing revenue. With the kickback of gas tax it's more than enough to fund both maintenance and new roads without breaking a sweat.

There's no lack of money, just the usual suspects that won't spend any money on infrastructure. They wouldn't do it before because they were afraid if they built it more people would move here. After more people moved here they claim they have no money. Silly commies.

And do realize that in the Smart Growth Zone nothing is as it seems. The whole toll roll bruhaha is actually about, ta-da, light rail. Believe it, tolls roads are just a bargaining chip in the decade long light rail battle, sort of a Smart Growth revenge because so far we've had the good sense to reject light rail.