Hard pen asphalt blew by $500 about a month ago. Try $600.
Our state taxes on the dollar....Two years ago...BY JUNE...they had already raked in what they had anticipated for the whole year. We’re also into stripping and reusing the old asphalt.
/sarc
The gift from Washington, DC that just keeps on giving....our great fine ENERGY POLICY that protects America and its interests.
Gee, more congressional investigations, I can’t wait...
Another reason to talk my wife into picking up a used SUV.
Message #2 -- The rubes are driving less. Our tax revenue is diminishing. Let's push through additional taxes -- we've got to refill our coffers. We can think of some excuse, like ... ummm ... drive less, conserve gas, global warming, blah, blah, blah
I think asphalt is a scam. Water seeps into cracks, and during cold Cleveland winters, the asphalt blows out into a pot hole. They fix the pothole by makin’ it into a bump, which just blows out again. The snowplowers for the cities and counties love it though. No seams. So easier on the plows, and smoother ride for the plowers. Gimme concrete! Last about 20 times longer.
Here’s Barry’s solution:
Raise taxes on gas to get the revenue needed to pave roads.
With fewer vehicle-miles, maintenance of the road should be reduced. This would not apply in frost areas since those surfaces will degrade on their own.
And when the article mentions a price of $500 for macadam/asphalt, per what?
Are there any states or municipalities that are notable for road building/repair at lower cost?
Specifiable cost reduction should be a prominent part of all Republican/Conservative campaigns, in all aspects of public expenditure, without being anti-union.
The rising price of crude oil is having consequences that the Envirowhackos could never have dreamed of. Diesel fuel is one of the primary resouces in the construction industry. As the price of oil increases it makes it more difficult to afford new construction projects. The Envirowhackos have wanted us to build more windfarms and photovoltaic installations in order to migrate from the fossil fuel energy infrastructure. Now it will be harder to fund construction to bring online more windfarms and PV installations. I betcha’ the Envirowhackos never thought that would happen.
Another good side to higher oil prices is that it is having an impact on federal, state & local governemnt’s bottom line. As citizens become “tapped out” to pay for gasoline and food, they are buying less...so, the local economy is taking a hit. That means that many states and municipalities will not have the tax revenue to spend on those things they want to. Add to that the fact that the cost to do business for local government is increasing and its obvious that the government will take a “hit” too..
Maybe by 2020!
Remember that the Environmentalists have already invaded your state transportation agencies. You might THINK your gas tax is paying for roads, but it’s also paying for, just to name a few:
1.) Pulling (by hand) of “invasive weeds.” Upwards of $200 per square yard.
2.) Birdhouse...YES BIRDHOUSES at $200 a pop.
3.) Ornamental Lighting, pocket parks, you name it.
4.) Over the top regulation to control erosion during what is often very brief construction.
5.) Disadvantaged businesses. Mandated percentage of subcontracting to businesses owned by Women and Minorities.