Let's Cut the Nonsense And Raise the Gas Tax

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

After serving 40 years in state government -- (15 years as chief financial officer for VDOT), I have watched the debate over transportation funding and find it to be one the most disappointing experiences in state government in all of my years of public service.

I worked closely with the Dalton administration to increase the gas tax in 1982 and the Baliles administration in 1986. These statesmen saw the problem and addressed it! So why is there now such a phobia on increasing the gas tax?

The gas tax is the most equitable way of funding transportation. The people who use the roads are the ones who pay the tax. Quite simple! We should be expending effort on ways to collect this user fee or tax that is equitable to all users. With the increasing use of hybrid and other alternate fuel vehicles we should be considering the tax on miles driven as opposed to gallons used. We have the technology to do this -- so why not?

Gas can vary 10 to 20 cents a gallon on any given day. So why all the hype over a nickel or dime increase in the gas tax? I for one do not shop around for prices. This is foolish -- or should I say "fuelish" -- economy! You burn more gas looking for a cheap price than you save, as a rule.

We are Virginians! We are the leaders in this nation. It was our statesmanship that brought about consensus for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of this great nation, yet for the past 20 years we have played politics and pointed fingers long enough about transportation funding. Ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly, please be statesmen again and fix the transportation problem. You know what to do -- just do it!

Jim Atwell. Glen Allen.