Comments on: NY Times to Obama: Focus on Transit http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Thu, 24 May 2012 17:33:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Martin H. Duke http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24135 Martin H. Duke Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:47:57 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24135 First, taxpayers in Omaha and Miami fund the freeways, ports, and airports here, and we do the same for them. We could get the federal government out of the transportation business altogether, but until we do that failing to subsidize transit is de facto favoring use of cars, which is a terrible policy choice. As for using the gas tax for roads only, creating transit options is often more effective at reducing congestion than adding more lanes. Why cut off the most cost-effective option? Secondly, driving has a lot of externalities -- pollution, dependence on oil imports, congestion, worsened public health -- that most economist would say should be paid by drivers, over and above what it costs to maintain the road system. The gas tax doesn't cover those maintenance requirements, much less cover the other costs to society.
First, taxpayers in Omaha and Miami fund the freeways, ports, and airports here, and we do the same for them. We could get the federal government out of the transportation business altogether, but until we do that failing to subsidize transit is de facto favoring use of cars, which is a terrible policy choice.

As for using the gas tax for roads only, creating transit options is often more effective at reducing congestion than adding more lanes. Why cut off the most cost-effective option? Secondly, driving has a lot of externalities — pollution, dependence on oil imports, congestion, worsened public health — that most economist would say should be paid by drivers, over and above what it costs to maintain the road system. The gas tax doesn’t cover those maintenance requirements, much less cover the other costs to society.

]]> By: Andrew http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24134 Andrew Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:47:04 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24134 Why should my income tax in Washington pay for a bridge to no-where in alaska? Why should my pay-roll tax pay for health care for some guy in Omaha or Miami?
Why should my income tax in Washington pay for a bridge to no-where in alaska? Why should my pay-roll tax pay for health care for some guy in Omaha or Miami?

]]> By: justin http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24125 justin Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:45:05 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24125 Neil nothing is very logical about taxes. I don't want my property taxes funding the Iraq war but nobody asked me... I would much rather sponsor light rail somewhere else.
Neil nothing is very logical about taxes. I don’t want my property taxes funding the Iraq war but nobody asked me… I would much rather sponsor light rail somewhere else.

]]> By: Neil http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24099 Neil Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:19:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24099 I have two issues with federal gas taxes funding public transport. One: why should taxpayers in Omaha and Miami pay for light rail development in Seattle? (for example). Two: Gas taxes are obviously a tax on gasoline, which is consumed by cars, which use roads. Therefore, logically, shouldn't revenue from gas taxes go toward road improvements?
I have two issues with federal gas taxes funding public transport. One: why should taxpayers in Omaha and Miami pay for light rail development in Seattle? (for example). Two: Gas taxes are obviously a tax on gasoline, which is consumed by cars, which use roads. Therefore, logically, shouldn’t revenue from gas taxes go toward road improvements?

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24071 Chris Stefan Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:26:29 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24071 Best to assume we'll "have to make him" (to paraphrase FDR). Not to mention Congress gets a say in whatever ultimately gets passed.
Best to assume we’ll “have to make him” (to paraphrase FDR).

Not to mention Congress gets a say in whatever ultimately gets passed.

]]> By: max http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/01/05/ny-times-to-obama-focus-on-transit/#comment-24050 max Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:49:29 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=1886#comment-24050 Will Obama listen..?
Will Obama listen..?

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