To: Diddle E. Squat
"14) We are building toll roads because the current gas tax would only fund 20% of needed road capacity. To eliminate toll roads yet still build all the road required would necessitate a $1/gallon gas tax, 80 cents higher than the current 20 cent/gallon tax. That is why toll projects will finance most new construction and expansion, where feasible."
Flat out lie. But what more can expect from the governor's boy in this area.
Let's do the math together, shall we. At $2M per lane mile, it would cost the state of Texas $12M per mile to construct a 6-lane freeway. A $1.00 per gallon gas tax will bring in something close to 8 Billion extra dollars per year (above what we already get). So, using Mr. Williamson's own numbers, the state of Texas could build over 600 miles of NEW 6-lane freeway, PER YEAR, with a $1.00 gas tax, meaning that the entire TTC could be done in 8 years - and then we lower the gas tax again, and have great roads to travel on, on not be paying CINTRA, or anyone else, through the teeth. That's one option, and that is why the Governor is so desperate, that he's sending his boys out to lie for him.
Another option: If we don't want to build the 600 miles of new freeway per year, we could raise the gas tax by 20 cents per gallon, and using Williamson's own numbers, add 150 miles per year of FREEWAY, which still isn't bad.
A third option: We could still build, say 300 miles per year, with a 20 cent gas tax, simply by borrowing against future revenues, as many other states with functional governors do.
So, Williamson can keep LYING for the governor, but I will out here continuing to expose these LIES.
Making a bunch of politicians and toll road owners rich at the expense of Texans is NOT necessary to add highway capacity. It is the choice of a governor who appears to hate his voters.
11 posted on
02/16/2005 6:14:41 PM PST by
BobL
To: BobL
As I understand it, a lane-mile of freeway in an urban area would cost 26 million, so they'd better stay out in the country.
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