No 'free lunch'.

In response to the Charles Crumpley commentary of Jan. 30 ("Light Foot on the Tax Pedal") and the accompanying op-ed contributions by Allan T. Marks ("Private Capital Can Be Leveraged to Fund the Construction of New Infrastructure") and Daniel J.B. Mitchell ("Look Back at What Gov. Earl Warren Did and Raise Gas Tax to Pay for New Highways") regarding California's highway infrastructure needs and the role of gasoline taxes:

It is time that the business community rediscover the old bromide: "There's no such thing as a 'free lunch.'" No taxes = no services. These days the preferred strategy is to defer this equation by borrowing ... at a time when California is pushing the limits on borrowing with little regard to the long-term consequences.

I suggest that LABJ readers ponder Dan Mitchell's analysis on why it is essential to address our road infrastructure gap through gasoline taxes.

Gas taxes are quickly available, and distribute the costs of road building in a relatively equitable way among users, while encouraging better gas mileage as well (a benefit to our environment).

California grew to what it is now in large part due to the foresightedness of past governors (Republican Earl Warren and Democrat Pat Brown) who invested in our state's infrastructure, rather than kowtowing to shortsighted, self-serving interests.

Goetz Wolff UCLA Department of Urban Planning