Barone’s love of tolls and their benefits is so one-sided it isn’t funny. It wouldn’t surprise me if doesn’t even own a car. Most tolls are predicated on a bald faced lie - that it will end when the ‘whatever’ is paid for.
In the end, they are another tax and a perpetual entitlement for the authorities that create and man them.
That and the fact that this “power” flowing back, is not the states taking back anything; it’s just additional power (money) stolen from state residents who are still paying their Federal tribute.
Florida at least spends their toll money on infrastructure—gotta support those tourists. LOL
You must be one of these.
When state fuel taxes are raised, politicians moan about crumbling roads and bridges....and then turn around and use the fuel tax as their budget-rescuing slush fund and spend the rest on so-called transportation projects like choo-choo trains and college geeks’ solar cars along with cash lavished on one ‘multi-modal study’ after another. These studies discover nothing and solve nothing but they keep armies of bureaucrats employed.
Meanwhile, the roads and bridges remain untouched.
Yeah, so states charging tolls is a good sign? Federal power ‘slipping away’? What is that guy smoking?
Most tolls are predicated on a bald faced lie - that it will end when the ‘whatever’ is paid for.
***********
Just like all government programs. Once they begin, for whatever reason, they never end. You’re right; they become perpetual and grow evermore expensive over time.
1. Tolls that are implemented today are never predicated on the assertion that they will end. People in charge of building and maintaining infrastructure know well that the infrastructure is never "paid for" but in fact requires a constant revenue stream for ongoing maintenance and major rehabilitation work. A perfect example of this is the George Washington Bridge, which carries I-95 across the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City. It probably had a design life of 50-60 years when it was built, but it is now more than 80 years old and as sturdy as ever because of ongoing maintenance and rehab work.
2. The big attraction of tolls (as opposed to a fuel tax) is that it generates revenue that isn't just tied to highway users in general, but is paid by users of specific roads and bridges. This pushes revenue generation one step closer to a true "user pays" system, which is the fairest and most equitable means of financing infrastructure of all.
3. Another attraction of tolls is that they are entirely discretionary for the users. If you don't want to pay the toll, then don't use that particular highway or bridge. Motorists make decisions like this all over the country these days, and it seems to work just fine.
During a Thanksgiving snowstorm here in MA, I witnessed the most accidents on 20-mile stretch of interstate than I have ever seen in my previous 40 years of driving here. I counted 13 major accidents. Some were multi-car. Others were cars that had slid far off the road, right to the tree line.
The Mass Turnpike, which is usually clear, even during blizzards, was just as bad, according to people that I work with.
I couldn't figure it out. My guess was that the DPW hadn't salted. But the storm was predicted.
It turns out, according to Howie Carr, that the MA governor, Deval Patrick, has been diverting funds from road maintenance to the EBT crowd.
It's the only explanation that makes any sense. And considering the fact that the state is run by Democrats, the waste is at truly impressive and unprecedented levels.
There is one benefit to tolls, and that is that they are not progressive.
That, said, I still take back roads to our summer getaway to avoid $25 of tolls (round trip). It costs me less than 0.5hr on a 3 hr trip.