Re: In case Governor Patrick is awaiting
response to his trial balloon on transportation financing before he
finalizes his state of the state address.
Dear Governor Patrick:
Our state per capita tax burden is 4th in the
nation, per capita debt the highest, and still we can’t fund our
transportation system? Do management much?
After forty years observing “transportation
financing” plans, we know the drill. Neglect the one function of
government that should be a priority, on the assumption that Big
Business will always jump on board and taxpayers will give in to new
revenues for an essential service. Then float a menu of tax, fee
and/or toll increases and watch everyone debate these to choose the
least objectionable. Then start over with neglect, squander the new
revenue, and come back for more in another few years.
We taxpayers aren’t playing that game this time. No
gas tax, income tax, sales tax rate increases. An $86 increase in
license renewal fees? You’ve got to be kidding. The voters mandated
a 5% income tax rate; you haven’t done it yet. Get back to us when
you’ve shown them some respect.
First do the management reforms in the package.
Include an independent audit of the Department of Transportation:
show us where the money goes, show us the savings from the 2009
Patrick reorganization of transportation departments.
New Hampshire has no income and no sales tax; and it
repealed its prevailing wage law twenty-eight years ago. We’ve never
heard anyone complain about the Granite State’s roads and bridges.
How do they manage so much better than we?
Get management/reform done first, then get back to
us.
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