The right wing "no new taxes" groups are trying it's damnedest to deflect it's role in reducing our infrastructure to rubble. The idea of a national gas tax has been termed "pork" by the Citizens (Rich White Guys) Against Government Waste.
http://vudyo.com/...
I don't agree with a gas tax because it's regressive. What would these people say if we increased federal income taxes to the levels prior to the Bush tax cuts? Why not use the money to shore up our infrastructure and put skilled labor back to work?
I don't want the people in the U.S. to think Tim Pawlenty has come to the rescue on the I-35 bridge collapse. That is not the case. He and his department heads are culpable for gross negligence with their policies and budget cuts that directly affect the condition of our roads and bridges.
Tim you can open your eyes now, the national media has moved to Utah.
Speedy veto from Pawlenty strikes down higher gas tax
May 15, 2007
St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) Gov. Tim Pawlenty didn't wait long to veto a nickel-a-gallon gas tax increase. Less than 24 hours after the Minnesota Legislature sent him a transportation bill, Pawlenty struck it down Tuesday.
The Republican governor said a higher gas tax would be "untimely and misguided."
So who is really "untimely and misguided" or "profoundly stupid"?
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s transportation program, as outlined last week, resembles the house of sticks earnestly and hopefully assembled by the second little pig. It seemed an impressive structure to those not paying close attention, but, as you’ll recall, blew over quite easily once the big wind came.
Minnesota needs a stronger transportation foundation than the governor’s house of sticks. For years the state has allowed its infrastructure to erode, adding an update from time to time, but forging no solid commitment to build the road network that outstate Minnesota requires or, more critically, to anticipate the crushing needs of a metro area expected to grow to 4 million people by 2030." - Star Tribune, "State needs stronger transportation plan; Governor’s initiative looks good to those not paying attention," February 5, 2006.
Pawlenty and his department heads at MNDOT need to take responsibility for this mess. In corporate America heads would roll and there would be massive resignations. So Timmy what’s it going to be?