| Gas
Tax Better Than Sales Tax |
|
To the editor:
|
| No one can seriously argue that increased taxes will not
be necessary to fund mass transit and transportation needs
in the future, but an increase in the sales tax is not the
way to do it. We should keep in mind that if this referendum
passes the increase will be in place for at least the next
20 years. |
| Would not an increase in the gasoline tax be a better and
more equitable way to raise needed funds? Not only would those
who used the roads the most pay their fair share, but it would
encourage the use of mass transit, car pooling, the use fuel-efficient
vehicles, help the environment and lessen our dependence on
foreign oil. |
| Everyone acknowledges a sales tax is the most regressive
tax there is. If we can allocate sales tax revenue to Northern
Virginia alone, we can certainly allocate gas tax revenue
as well. |
| Furthermore, funding basic local needs by referendum sets
a terrible precedent. Next year when Northern Virginia faces
the need for additional educational funding, will we be told
to hold another referendum in to fund this? Is this going
to be the way other areas of the state will be told to deal
with their particular funding issues? The Commonwealth needs
to face up to its responsibilities to properly plan and fuel
basic services. |
| We are also told that if we pass this referendum the formula
for distributing transportation funding throughout the state
cannot be changed to short change Northern Virginia. This
misses the point totally. As everyone admits the existing
funding formula now badly short changes Northern Virginia.
Does anyone seriously think that the Commonwealth will correct
the formula to give Northern Virginia its fair share once
we pass this referendum taxing ourselves? |
| Finally, experience and studies have shown over and over
that you build roads, the use of cars will expand to fill
them. Without a commitment to smart growth, congestion in
20 years will be comparatively as bad as it is today no matter
how many lanes we put on our roads. |
| The General Assembly needs to pass legislation in the next
session giving localities stronger tools to control growth. |
| John T. Morris, Jr. |
| Reston |
