SHIFT TAX BURDEN OFF GAS TO FUND TRANSPORTATION.Byline: Fabian Nunez Local View THE California Transportation Commission has declared that California's transportation infrastructure is on the ``verge of collapse.'' But drivers stuck in traffic on the way to work or parents car-pooling kids to school over potholes and crumbling roads don't need research studies to tell them what they already know: Our transportation system is broken because we haven't invested in it. Traffic is costing us precious time at work and at home. Gas prices are hitting us hard at the pump. Idling cars stuck in traffic jams are increasing pollution. Something needs to be done. That's why the first piece of the Assembly Democrats' ``Building Opportunity'' agenda is aimed directly at combating traffic congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. and rising gas costs. Our plan cuts gas taxes, creates good jobs and keeps our state moving by improving roads and reducing traffic. Our vision is simple: We need to focus on issues that affect every single Californian. Every Californian needs to be able to move freely. All Californians, regardless of political persuasion PERSUASION. The act of influencing by expostulation or request. While the persuasion is confined within those limits which leave the mind free, it may be used to induce another to make his will, or even to make it in his own favor; but if such persuasion should so far operate on the mind , hate traffic and love to spend time with their families. All Californians despise de·spise tr.v. de·spised, de·spis·ing, de·spis·es 1. To regard with contempt or scorn: despised all cowards and flatterers. 2. high gas prices and want to save their hard-earned money. Democrats as well as Republicans, urban and rural residents, can all agree that transportation issues need to be addressed - now. Our proposal immediately cuts the price of gas at the pump by 11 cents a gallon. At the same time, it provides $10 billion to jump-start essential transportation projects in every part of the state. Over 30 years, our plan would invest a total of nearly $60 billion in our state's transportation infrastructure. It replaces our existing sales tax sales tax, levy on the sale of goods or services, generally calculated as a percentage of the selling price, and sometimes called a purchase tax. It is usually collected in the form of an extra charge by the retailer, who remits the tax to the government. on gasoline gasoline or petrol, light, volatile mixture of hydrocarbons for use in the internal-combustion engine and as an organic solvent, obtained primarily by fractional distillation and "cracking" of petroleum, but also obtained from natural gas, by with an equal sales tax on other taxable items (which will grow faster than the existing sales tax). That's key - to broaden our tax base for transportation, while giving much needed tax relief when it comes to purchasing fuel. It would also create a $10 billion bond - backed by the gasoline excise tax Excise Tax 1. An indirect tax charged on the sale of a particular good. 2. A penalty tax applied to ineligible transactions in retirement accounts. This penalty is assessed by and paid to the IRS. Notes: 1. - to start funding our transportation projects immediately. The final component is an adjustment of the current gasoline excise tax in the future to account for the effects of inflation. The plan would also allow us to improve our state's air quality. Traffic congestion puts an additional 500 tons of pollution into the air every year in our state. Funding mass transit mass transit, public transportation systems designed to move large numbers of passengers. Types and Advantages Mass transit refers to municipal or regional public shared transportation, such as buses, streetcars, and ferries, open to all on a and highway projects would reduce those emissions. This historic investment would give commuters the priceless price·less adj. 1. Of inestimable worth; invaluable. 2. Highly amusing, absurd, or odd: a priceless remark. gift of more time with their families, and improve our state budget situation. It provides for an ongoing, stable, and growing funding source for traffic congestion relief. And rest assured, the bond-supported investments would be protected by a built-in taxpayer watchdog to make sure that politicians cannot divert di·vert v. di·vert·ed, di·vert·ing, di·verts v.tr. 1. To turn aside from a course or direction: Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident. 2. funding to anything other than transportation. |
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