Focused on the wrong outcome

We got the word last week that talks on increased state transportation funding have once again hit a snag. Is anyone really surprised by this? The reason for the impasse? Well, it was reported that “tax relief” was the issue. Put another way, many legislators are looking to cut the income tax in order to justify increasing the gas tax. I used the word “tax” twice in the last sentence because this is what it is all about – a tax on who and for how much.

This entire issue has never been about fixing crumbling roads or poor transit systems or improving the safety of our roadways. It has always been about taxes – on who and how much.

Never mind that:

• the condition of the road system continues to deteriorate,
• the cost of fixing our roads continues to increase,
• the costs of fixing our cars damaged by roads continues to increase,
• the safety of our roads continues to deteriorate – 749 deaths so far this year, thousands more injured, plus
• another winter is on the way.

Do we ever see any of these factors mentioned in any of the reports? Has anyone calculated the benefits of an improved transportation system on the state’s economy? Do we ever see reports of how an improved transportation system can help put people to work or decrease the costs to business of moving freight? How about the benefits to property values, community pride, or enhanced tourism? Good roads encourage biking and will help decrease maintenance costs to buses. Do we ever hear any of these benefits? It is all about taxes – how much and on who.

I am concerned that until we take a more holistic look at the benefits and costs of the situation, we will never find the right words to get the legislature to increase transportation funding. Until we find a way to widen the discussion to include not just what a better transportation system costs, but what additional benefits we can reap as a result and include them into the equation, we will continue to only deal with the narrow issue of taxes. No one wants to pay more taxes – not even me – but I do want to see a better, safer system – and I am willing to pay for that!