Bridge disaster may raise gas tax from coast to coast

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/501008,CST-NWS-bridge08.article

Bridge disaster may raise gas tax

August 8, 2007
BY JIM ABRAMS

WASHINGTON -- The Minneapolis bridge disaster that suddenly is the symbol of the nation's crumbling infrastructure could tip the scales in favor of billions of dollars in higher gas taxes for repairs coast to coast.

There are 500 bridges around the country similar to the Minneapolis span, and ''these are potential deathtraps,'' says Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), former chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

''We have to, as a Congress, grasp this problem. And yes, I would even suggest, fund this problem with a tax,'' he says. ''May the sky not fall on me.''

The last six-year highway and transit bill was passed in 2005, two years late and almost $90 billion short of the $375 billion that transportation advocates said was needed.

[bryant69]

1. Ah - scare tactis.

We can fix your bridges, but we will have to jab more money out of you. Nice.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[malaise]

2. Shouldn't he be the last man to discuss this? n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

3. So, we pay for infrastructure with taxes, and put the war/occupation on the credit card.

What kind of sense does that make?

[HereSince1628]

4. The 35W calamity gives even conservative politicians cover to raise taxes

And as long as the taxes are used as intended then that's all well and good as far as I'm concerned.

But the Feds have a propensity to redirecting things...like the telephone tax that was supposed to help pay for the Spanish-American War but has never gone away.

[DS1]

5. How about a voluntary war-tax? If you support the war, pay for it

otherwise it'll be shut down

[Hubert Flottz]

6. Isn't Rep. Don Young under investigation for stealing?

The people who got the big tax cuts should pay, not working people who have paid for almost everything since Bush came to DC. Repeal the tax cuts to pay for it.

Don Young Under Federal Criminal Investigation

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003771.php

Ex-House Aide Snared in Abramoff Probe

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3075772&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

[Hubert Flottz]

7. K&R...

[baldguy]

8. the "all taxes are evil" insanity of the RW is what caused the bridge collapse.

It will in turn be a wake-up call to force the govt to provide adequate funds to maintain our infrastructure.

[Virginia Dare]

10. The Repubbies answer is to build more toll roads..

they never met a privatization that they didn't like. Get your wallets out.

[OzarkDem]

9. Any tax should be at the wholesale level

With gas consumption declining, the oil companies are still competing and can absorb the cost.

Recall Clinton's wholesale gas tax increase that was part of his first economic recovery plan. It worked like a charm and the cost was not passed on to consumers.

[luckyleftyme2]

12. $65 BILLION IS CHUMP CHANGE

65 BILLION IS CHUMP CHANGE, COMPARED TO THE WASTE THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS TO ITS CREDIT.
when will the people demand his resignation? who says we can't fire this incompetent fool.
never has this country had so much money wasted,lost and unaccounted for.we have paid exorbitant prices for services and goods that cannot be allowed to be swept under the table.
look at the missing weapons in iraq,and don't buy that we didn't have time to get the serial #. that comes with the shipping slip you receive. thats another lie they think we'll buy. and their is a copy with the goods,one to payroll for there manufacture to get paid and one to the command post.
you gonna tell me the manufacture didn't get paid!
its time to do the peoples bidding,and make an example out of bush and company!
i'm sure the rest of the world would respect us more if we cleaned up our house first!

[peacetalksforall]

11. We don't do infrastructure well - here or in Iraq and we collaborated with

Israel in taking out huge chunks of the Lebanonese infrastucture about this time a year ago (after Saudi Arabia paid millions to rebuilding it from the precious attack).

[spanone]

13. why not repeal the tax breaks for the richest 1% ????

[aikoaiko]

14. A nickel a gallon for safe bridges -- sounds like a good deal to me.

Why not make it a dime and make the bridges aesthetically pleasing too.

[Johonny]

15. OMG

You mean it takes $ to keep up Americas infrastructure. Here's another idea... get rid of the horrible republican 2005 transportation bill and pass one that actually builds infrastructure where the nation needs infrastructure. Hell I'd gladly pay more taxes if it meant a functioning mass transportation system in my city.