Raleigh, N.C. – Maintaining a strong transportation system is crucial to preserving a growing and productive economy. North Carolinians deserve roads and bridges that safely connect them to their jobs and families, and businesses need high quality infrastructure to move people and products and keep our economy thriving.
But the lack of certainty in North Carolina’s gas tax makes it very difficult for the state to plan and fund road projects. One of our state’s most volatile revenue streams, the gas tax, makes up nearly 70 percent of the fund to maintain roads and bridges and approximately 60 percent of the state Department of Transportation’s budget.
That’s why, with wide-ranging support, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to cut and freeze the gas tax to 35 cents per gallon effective March 1. The bill changes how the gas tax is calculated, providing much-needed funding stability to help protect critical transportation projects. It also provides a tax deduction for teachers who purchase classroom supplies out of their own pockets.
Members of the business and transportation communities – including the North Carolina Chamber and AAA Carolinas – along with local governments have all come out in support of the bill.
This balanced plan provides tax relief for all North Carolina drivers while helping ensure the state has the long-term resources necessary to build and maintain safe roadways, bridges and economic corridors.
A recent report released from NCDOH provided a list of projects in both the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund that will be delayed if the gas tax drops to projected levels.
Potential project delays included in the list for Guilford County total $20,527,242 ($5,422,982 from Contract Resurfacing, $743,214 from Pavement Preservation, $412,060 from the Bridge Program, $6,550,490 from Primary and Secondary Maintenance Activities and $7,398,496 from the Powell Bill).”
District 27 Newsletter - Volume 2, Issue 2 - February 24, 2015
Senator Trudy Wade
300 N. Salisbury Street
Room 521
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Being an expert in one field by no means makes one an expert in another field. Hence Veterinary Science might just, maybe, be a stretch regarding public policy in the field of infrastructure and taxation thereof (public finance).
One might consider engaging in a public choice theory adventure and examine the above news release to see if one can indeed understand pet care more thoroughly:
“Maintaining a strong transportation system is crucial to preserving a growing and productive economy. North Carolinians deserve roads and bridges that safely connect them to their jobs and families, and businesses need high quality infrastructure to move people and products and keep our economy thriving.”
Got it, safety and economic growth are the main concern. Very warm and fuzzy stuff!
“But the lack of certainty in North Carolina’s gas tax makes it very difficult for the state to plan and fund road projects. One of our state’s most volatile revenue streams, the gas tax, makes up nearly 70 percent of the fund to maintain roads and bridges and approximately 60 percent of the state Department of Transportation’s budget.”
Ah, politicos don’t have enough money and said politicos need a steady stream of other people’s money. Go figure.
“That’s why, with wide-ranging support, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to cut and freeze the gas tax to 35 cents per gallon effective March 1. The bill changes how the gas tax is calculated, providing much-needed funding stability to help protect critical transportation projects. It also provides a tax deduction for teachers who purchase classroom supplies out of their own pockets.”
Oh, new zeniths in rationalization of somehow and in some way all the James and Jane Goodfellow(s) across North Carolina wanted their gasoline tax raised. Yep, politicos just raised your gasoline tax:
Senate bill could push NC gas tax 7 cents higher in future years, news observer.com, 02/10/2015
http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/02/10/4545808_senate-bill-could-push-nc-gas.html?rh=1
“Members of the business and transportation communities – including the North Carolina Chamber and AAA Carolinas – along with local governments have all come out in support of the bill.”
That’s the ticket! When notorious special interests and other politicos support tax hikes that makes for good public policy...errr...politics!
“A recent report released from NCDOH provided a list of projects in both the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund that will be delayed if the gas tax drops to projected levels.”
Great! Raise a regressive tax on the poor and have them build the bridges. Brilliant!
One should strongly consider that regardless of the letter appearing after the politician's name, be it D, R or I, they are politicos first and foremost. And as such, one would be well served to consider this quotation:
“So it’s no surprise that governments with vast powers routinely behave stupidly: they are attempting to do the impossible while being overseen by the ill-informed.” - Don Boudreaux
