April 28: Educate Us About Toll Roads
After reading about our illustrious governor's statement about lawmakers and voters "may not have fully understood" what was being addressed in voting for Toll Roads, I have a question. Which part of these projects is it we don't understand?
Is it the part where our gasoline tax money is being siphoned off to cover the monetary requirements for the "tax cuts?" Boy, how ignorant can we be?
Sometime back I wrote a letter complaining about the high school tax in Smith County. In response, a local school teacher rebutted my letter, advising me that all of the money appropriated for schools does not go to schools. Part of it was being diverted to other Smith County needs.
Now, I am no happier about paying taxes than the next fellow, but like most of us I expect and demand my government - federal, state and local - supply me with needed services. I am also aware those services cost money, and taxes is pretty much the only way the funds are going to be forthcoming. If you think you can raise the money by asking for donations, I seriously doubt it.
Stating that private industry is the only one willing to build roads "betting on the come," (gambling expression) is ludicrous. The need for the road is already there, as evidenced by the traffic jams in the area.
Mr. Perry should stop treating the Texas voter like some half-wit who needs to be led down the primrose path by all the smart fellows in Austin. If the governor wants another term, he should begin his campaign now, by acting like voters have two brain cells to rub together.
Patting himself on the back over "tax cuts" by just moving the charge to another tax is not a tax cut. And, yes, I do consider paying a toll charge to drive on a Texas highway a tax.
Don Hopper
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