Posted on 09/05/2014 10:05:02 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
PROVIDENCE -
Tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge were rejected by popular demand, but a proposed toll on Interstate 95 near the Connecticut border had less opposition.
Any toll would need federal government approval, and Rhode Island Public Radio's Ian Donnis asked the Democrats running for governor what they thought of the idea during an NBC 10 live debate Wednesday.
"Yes. I think people deserve a straightforward answer. This state should be looking in comprehensive ways," Pell said.
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras said he does not support adding a toll on I-95.
"It's a regressive tax that has an impact on people regardless of their ability to pay," Taveras said.
General Treasurer Gina Raimondo said it's a "difficult time" to institute tolls.
"In the same way that I don't want to raise taxes, I'm very reluctant to toll. We do have to find a way to pay," Raimondo said.
Todd Giroux offered a solution that could be very popular.
"Yes, I would support a toll on 95. If -- and one and only if -- that the Rhode Island license plate tag has a free pass at the Rhode Island beach," Giroux, a contractor from Bristol, said.
On the Republican side, there's a difference between the two candidates seeking the nomination.
"We don't need additional taxes to fix what's broken here. The last two years our budget increased by $1 billion. We have to get control of our spending and turn some money back," businessman Ken Block said.
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said the idea has merit.
"I wouldn't like to see because I don't like increases, but I wouldn't rule it out as an option depending on where those dollars could be effectively used if it is an option. I'd keep it as a tool," Fung said.
In 2012, the Federal Highway Administration passed on Rhode Island's application to put tolls on Interstate 95 as part of a pilot program.
Silly. It would go toward education....for the children.
Who would be against something for....the children?
That Ken Block comment made sense, let me guess he hasn’t a chance of a salt tower in a rainstorm
Every state should put a toll booth at the border on every road.
“Don’t tax me, don’t tax you- tax that guy that’s passing through!”
Those states are thieves.
I-95 northeast of Baltimore is actually the property of the Maryland Transportation Authority, which funds its facilities through tolls.
I have never heard of a toll plaza on Route 1. I know they have one on Route 40, which runs parallel to I-95 in MD. Both the I-95 and Route 40 toll plazas are at bridges that cross the Susquehanna River, and as far as I know, they have always been there.
You’re right. Route 40. It’s been a while since we “lived” there...or since we escaped, anyway.
Eddie Rendell tried to toll I-80 in Pennsylvania, and the Feds slapped him down.
With the exception of roads built prior to the Eisenhower Interstate System and which were then incorporated into the EIS no Interstate should be tolled.
For example, the Ohio Turnpike, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Massachusetts Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike all pre-date the Eisenhower Interstate System, and Florida’s Turnpike is connected to the Interstate system but it does not have an Interstate designation.
Then comes a thieving state like Delaware which charges $4.00 for perhaps 20 miles at most. Compare with the NJ Tpk which charges $13.85 (IIRC) to travel the full length from Del Mem Br to Meadowlands, around 110-120 miles. Delaware is nearly twice the rate. Twice the rate for far less road to maintain. I’ll bet the money goes into their general fund, which for many travelers would be a tax on citizens of other states, a tax without representation.
Pennsylvania tried to do that with both Bush 43 and Obama.
The stretch of I-95 which constitutes the Delaware Turnpike is about 11 miles, so the toll amounts to about 36 cents per mile.
That makes it even pricier.
Oh hell, I agree. I don’t care about the grandfathered roads. They should all be toll-free. I intentionally took US40 to circumvent the $30 toll for the Penn Turnpike the other day from Wheeling to near Baltimore. Being raised in Alabama, tolls are literally highway robbery to me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.