Thanks Tol,
Sadly, as we learned here in Texas, CONSERVATIVES seem to not see tolls as taxes - after all, driving on a toll road is ‘voluntary’, as they see it (assuming that you have several hours every day to spare). So rather than raising the gas tax a bit, thereby making all drivers spend $100 a year to get traffic moving, they push toll roads that can EASILY cost virtually all drivers $1,000 a year (and often much more)...and their ‘justification’ for that is that it’s (technically) not a tax increase, since there are always (crappy) other options.
In Texas, we spend years learning that lesson and are still paying for it (thank you Governor Perry /s). Sadly, it appears that Florida, already toll-road heavy, will now have to deal with another round of abuse.
I agree Bob. I hate toll roads. Given all the taxes we pay decent roads is the least government can provide for us.
Gas tax is like an anchor that will continue to rise because of low information voters, toll roads provide options and those who pay (Companies/Expressway Authorities) for upkeep need to heavily weigh when to raise tolls or not (Unless in the Northeast with limited options/routes/bridges that provide alternatives).
Your argument means we should all get free lotto tickets, too.