So there's 2 lines of thought regarding toll-roads:
1) Toll roads are good. It's a means of constructing new roads without impacting the state budget. The cost of the tolls recoup initial constructions costs, maintenance costs, and also includes some extra for constructing new toll-roads. The only people paying for the toll road are the people that use it. The people that don't use it - it doesn't cost them anything. From that perspective, it sounds good.
2) Toll roads are bad. The state DOT is already publicly funded to maintain roads. Toll-roads are essentially the state double-taxing certain people (the ones using it) for the purpose of utilizing the roads that the public already funded (tax). If the ODOT budget isn't enough to manage the state roads then the ODOT budget is what should be addressed. From the public tax funded perspective - I've already paid for the road, so why pay again?
So I understand both perspectives. But what about the long-goal?
If people just accept toll-roads - and the state can just build new toll roads whenever/wherever they want (i.e. more revenue collection!!!!) - when does it all end? Is it ok for 100% of roads to be toll roads? Because I could certainly see the state pushing this as far as they can.
Who voluntarily gives up a cash cow for free?
1) Toll roads are good. It's a means of constructing new roads without impacting the state budget. The cost of the tolls recoup initial constructions costs, maintenance costs, and also includes some extra for constructing new toll-roads. The only people paying for the toll road are the people that use it. The people that don't use it - it doesn't cost them anything. From that perspective, it sounds good.
2) Toll roads are bad. The state DOT is already publicly funded to maintain roads. Toll-roads are essentially the state double-taxing certain people (the ones using it) for the purpose of utilizing the roads that the public already funded (tax). If the ODOT budget isn't enough to manage the state roads then the ODOT budget is what should be addressed. From the public tax funded perspective - I've already paid for the road, so why pay again?
So I understand both perspectives. But what about the long-goal?
If people just accept toll-roads - and the state can just build new toll roads whenever/wherever they want (i.e. more revenue collection!!!!) - when does it all end? Is it ok for 100% of roads to be toll roads? Because I could certainly see the state pushing this as far as they can.
Who voluntarily gives up a cash cow for free?
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