Gas pains…

by

pumping gas.taxpayer.

You knew it was only a matter of time. The one area these days where ordinary people are finding a little relief that helps economically, and the taxman wants a piece of the action. From Newsnine:

CONCORD, N.H. — Penny-pinching at the gas pump now could lead to higher prices in New Hampshire as the state considers raising the gas tax.

The state highway fund is heading deep into the red, and officials said one reason for that is that its gas tax revenue isn’t what it used to be. According to the Department of Transportation, in 10 years, the highway fund could be dealing with an operating deficit approaching $1 billion.

Now think for a moment… how long has the most recently ended gas price "crisis" been going on? Eight, maybe ten months? How long has the most recent wave of "penny pinching" at the pumps been going on? Just about the same amount of time, right? And we’re being told that because of the diminished gasoline purchases in that period of time, the whole system has been thrown into fiscal turmoil, thus requiring a raise in the tax?

Don’t believe it. This is nothing more than spotting an opportunity and seizing it. With gas prices low, politicians see a window of opportunity and plan on going for it. Consider this from the American Society of Civil Engineers, dated mid-February, 2004– long before the driving public here in NH had conservation on its mind:

"A number of New Hampshire lawmakers are questioning whether to raise tolls and the state gasoline tax to compensate for a shortage of money for all of the state’s road projects. During hearings on the 10 year transportation plan in the House Public Works and Highways Committee last week, increasing state revenues through taxes and tolls was discussed. Executive Councilor Ray Burton (R-Bath) has said he would like to see a 5 cent increase in the gasoline tax

What really pisses me off (sorry, but I’m ANGRY) is the fact that, while they may claim to have tightened their belts at the NHDOT, I don’t see it. The ubiquitous gas-guzzling orange pickups still ply the highways and backroads, transporting the more than occasional coffee-soaked, pot-bellied "supervisors" hither and yon, in no apparent hurry. Often they are spotted gathered at government gas depots– especially on Fridays. How much privatization has been done within this state department? You could almost sub out the whole deal if you ask me.

Consider the story we did a little over a year ago detailing a relatively simple project on an exit ramp here in Central NH. Noting that it took many months and apparent wasteful methods of organization, we asked then why it hadn’t been performed by the private sector. Now that the job has failed and the repaired section is once again collapsed, one wonders if it could have been repaired under warrantee, with someone actually RESPONSIBLE when tasks aren’t performed properly.

Naaah. Instead, they’ll just raise the gas tax. This time, they PROMISE they’ll only spend it on roads and bridges and nothing else. Sure. And rural public transportation. And choo-choo follies. And training and conferences… in Florida… in February. And sidewalks to nowhere. And parking lots at state parks. And really nice permanent "jersey" barriers for miles before and after the tolls (recall– all filled with newly-hired smiling, happy people). But other than that, only roads and bridges. Unless the DOT has to pay a fine for their reckless ways, of course. But otherwise, ONLY ROADS AND BRIDGES…

Yes indeed. After listening to politicians of every stripe encourage all of us to suck it up, drive less, and curb our "addiction to oil" and gasoline, now, since we have listened, we must pay. This seems remarkably similar to the ongoing NH cigarette tax flim-flam– we take taxes on tobacco, fund government with the proceeeds, and included within are numerous programs supposedly working to get people away from the evil weed. When less people smoke as a result, the tax goes up because revenues decline. Get it?

Author

Share to...