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Message
re: Why is LA so against toll roads?
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:07 am to The Sad Banana
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:07 am to The Sad Banana
quote:
A tax for infrastructure to fix infrastructure with bills tacked on for transparency and still this state finds a way to remain in the stone age.
Only because taxpayers understand that the politicians handling our money never do what's in our best interest.
If they would then why hasn't I-10 at the bridge been fixed? Why have so many other projects been pushed forward and not the most obvious one?
Look, I understand what you are saying. This bill is needed, the tax is needed, checks are in place to spend the money only on infrastructure, etc.
But what about the other 20 cents we currently spend on gas taxes now? Will they take some of that money for other projects? Sure they will. They have done it in the past and will do it again.
And then look at the 1.3 Billion in taxes they just raised for the general fund. 1.3 million and now they want another 600 million. That's nearly 2 Billion more the state wants to take from tax payers and all we see is promises while people like the nursing home industry, film makers and others get special treatment.
You are taking a narrow view of the problem, I'm looking at the big picture.
I'd prefer a plan using tolls, increasing the gasoline tax from 20 to 30 cents, cutting out the sales tax increase, and some kind of income tax reform to spread the base while cutting out film tax credits, changing the nursing home rules, and cutting back on industry goodies.
La. needs major reforms and giving these people more and more money isn't going to push the politicians in the right direction.
2
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:19 am to doubleb
quote:
If they would then why hasn't I-10 at the bridge been fixed? Why have so many other projects been pushed forward and not the most obvious one?
You have a plan for fixing it?
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:24 am to magildachunks
quote:
You have a plan for fixing it?
No, but I did go to an open forum where DOTD had one and I liked there's a lot.
Do you have a better plan? I'm open.
But anyone with half a brain should have seen the original design was substandard before the road was built. How it got built makes no sense at all.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:34 am to magildachunks
quote:It's a tough conversation to have in a conservative state such as Louisiana, but I won't say the public's concerns aren't valid. When you mention more taxes in Louisiana our residents' get on their hind legs and fight. And that's fair. But the truth in this matter is that this is a tax that will solely fund transportation and infrastructure priorities in this state. This tax hasn't been raised or affected since 1989 and the state cannot afford to be at this stalemate any longer.
Banana, I've been trying for years in here to get tolls or a new gas tax to help infrastructure.
They won't have it. They'd rather just complain about roads and traffic and how the government doesn't do anything.
They refuse to even have an honest discussion about infrastructure and it's spending, needs, etc.
And they refuse to learn about it.
They cant comprehend preventative maintenance. They think that once something is built, it should be left alone till it needs to be replaced.
But it's like someone in DOTD told me: wait till we start load posting bridges and closing roads because of deterioration. And it's coming sooner than later.
It's understandable for the public to be wary of taxes and the government. The government should fear the people. One of the pillars of government is to provide infrastructure, but it cannot do it without the revenue to do so.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:39 am to doubleb
quote:Like I said just now in another response, it is good for you to be wary of your government and how it spends your tax dollars. But in this instance, the governor initiated a task force to find a recommendation on how to handle the tax increase and to what point. Here we are. The number being asked...another $700M...should alarm you. But it should alarm you as a status of the deteriorating infrastructure in our state. That's the magnitude of deficiency we are looking at here and it's only going to get worse.
Only because taxpayers understand that the politicians handling our money never do what's in our best interest.
If they would then why hasn't I-10 at the bridge been fixed? Why have so many other projects been pushed forward and not the most obvious one?
Look, I understand what you are saying. This bill is needed, the tax is needed, checks are in place to spend the money only on infrastructure, etc.
But what about the other 20 cents we currently spend on gas taxes now? Will they take some of that money for other projects? Sure they will. They have done it in the past and will do it again.
And then look at the 1.3 Billion in taxes they just raised for the general fund. 1.3 million and now they want another 600 million. That's nearly 2 Billion more the state wants to take from tax payers and all we see is promises while people like the nursing home industry, film makers and others get special treatment.
You are taking a narrow view of the problem, I'm looking at the big picture.
I'd prefer a plan using tolls, increasing the gasoline tax from 20 to 30 cents, cutting out the sales tax increase, and some kind of income tax reform to spread the base while cutting out film tax credits, changing the nursing home rules, and cutting back on industry goodies.
La. needs major reforms and giving these people more and more money isn't going to push the politicians in the right direction.
As far as other taxes and how our state allocates them with entitlements and social programs, that's not what I'm getting at here. But we had a bill that could have completely booned our infrastructure, job creation and economic standing for a palatable dent in all our bank accounts over the year.
And lest we talk about our politicians. You want to talk about not trusting them? I guarantee you they all would pass this tax hike individually, but in order to protect themselves and stay elected, they decided to vote against it. That should tell you all you need to know.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:43 am to The Sad Banana
quote:You're missing the point.
This was a minor impact to you.
A question for you guys in the know: How huge of an issue is mitigating wetland impacts concerning new road construction in and around BR?
I will admit the bill in its final form is much better than as initially proposed. But the fact remains, the trust has been lost with the majority of taxpayers.
This post was edited on 6/5/17 at 10:46 am
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:47 am to magildachunks
quote:I'm scared. Kinda like JBE saying no LSU football last year.
But it's like someone in DOTD told me: wait till we start load posting bridges and closing roads because of deterioration. And it's coming sooner than later.
What a peckerhead.Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:59 am to The Sad Banana
quote:
And lest we talk about our politicians. You want to talk about not trusting them? I guarantee you they all would pass this tax hike individually, but in order to protect themselves and stay elected, they decided to vote against it. That should tell you all you need to know.
No question about it, they love to raise taxes. That gives them more money to help their friends. That's how most think.
You speak of helping the economy, and I agree, a better transportation system would help the economy.
But we have spent over a Billion dollars helping the economy by giving money to the movie people. What do we have to show for it? Nothing but another year where we pledged to give them 180 million dollars more, or they will leave.
Look at the nursing home situation. If these legislators want to do right by the voter, why won't they help reform the nursing home rules. Why won't Edwards?
You see why I believe they can't be trusted?
I have to look at the entire picture, and I can't see keeping the status quo and giving these guys more money.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 10:59 am to 50_Tiger
quote:
Does NY/NJ have a third party like that? Or is it just their DOT?
There's a plethora of small authorities that handle these things. First there's the NYNJ Port Authority which handles NY-NJ crossings, and has such assets as the WTC, and other various properties throughout NYC- their board is split between appointees of NY and NJ governors
. Then there's the MTA Tunnel and Bridge Authority which handles some connections between Brooklyn and Queens. Then there's the Triborough Bridge Authority which handles the Triborough bridge. Each authority has its own set of boards and directors, which are all appointed by the governor. You can imagine the types of scandals that take place with an arrangement like that
.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:00 am to NYNolaguy1
quote:
There's a plethora of small authorities that handle these things. First there's the NYNJ Port Authority which handles NY-NJ crossings, and has such assets as the WTC, and other various properties throughout NYC- their board is split between appointees of NY and NJ governors . Then there's the MTA Tunnel and Bridge Authority which handles some connections between Brooklyn and Queens. Then there's the Triborough Bridge Authority which handles the Triborough bridge. Each authority has its own set of boards and directors, which are all appointed by the governor.
You can imagine the types of scandals that take place with an arrangement like that
That sounds like a great place ripe with frickery
.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:07 am to 50_Tiger
quote:
That sounds like a great place ripe with frickery
And people wonder why they pay $16/one way to go across a bridge in NYC. They're supporting their local politicians.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:17 am to White Bear
quote:No, I'm not. This is the point. The state can't make budget and fix problems. They can't make budget, period. In order for us to fix our infrastructure problem (and that is just one of the problems, but it is a massive one), something like this has to happen. It just has to...you will need to pay more in order to get the standard, safe infrastructure you deserve.
ou're missing the point.
Coastal projects are a part of the projects on the priority lists that the tax hike would cover.
ETA: You guys not giving your government the benefit of the doubt is 100% valid. I can't disagree with that at all. But it's beside the point. We're at a critical point with infrastructure. Without more revenue generated from taxes, this will not get better.
This post was edited on 6/5/17 at 11:20 am
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:26 am to lsupride87
quote:
People dislike tolls because they can "see" and "feel" the money they are spending.
Most toll roads in Texas don't have manned booths. It's all automated by either the tolltag that you have or your license plate. All tolls are moving to this trend.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:31 am to magildachunks
quote:
Well, technically, if the toll is used to maintain the span, then it will never be "paid off". People seem to have a hard time grasping the concept of preventative maintenance. that's what tolls are supposed to be for.
Complete bullshite. How many times do you think the Causeway has been purchased and that road is shite. It's got hundreds of state employees sucking off the taxpayer tit but the same thin lanes and not even a shoulder to pull off on.
Look into tolls in the northeast. In places like New Jersey and New York toll collectors are making $80,000-$100,000 a year and they're getting fat pensions with lifetime benefits. Now the state can't get out from these costs.
We pay taxes already. Taxes are supposed to be used for roads, bridges and schools. Yet, this money is squandered away by corruption. Now instead of fixing the corruption, you want to give those same assholes more of our money. frick that. There's more than enough raised to perform the basic functions of government if we weren't doling out funds to shithead sponges and deadbeats.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:32 am to ClientNumber9
quote:
Complete bullshite. How many times do you think the Causeway has been purchased and that road is shite. It's got hundreds of state employees sucking off the taxpayer tit but the same thin lanes and not even a shoulder to pull off on.
Look into tolls in the northeast. In places like New Jersey and New York toll collectors are making $80,000-$100,000 a year and they're getting fat pensions with lifetime benefits. Now the state can't get out from these costs.
We pay taxes already. Taxes are supposed to be used for roads, bridges and schools. Yet, this money is squandered away by corruption. Now instead of fixing the corruption, you want to give those same assholes more of our money. frick that. There's more than enough raised to perform the basic functions of government if we weren't doling out funds to shithead sponges and deadbeats.
Keep enjoying those shite roads baw.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:42 am to 50_Tiger
quote:
Keep enjoying those shite roads
You're fricking dumb for thinking paying more to corrupt politicians will get us better roads.
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:49 am to NYNolaguy1
quote:
There's a plethora of small authorities that handle these things. First there's the NYNJ Port Authority which handles NY-NJ crossings, and has such assets as the WTC, and other various properties throughout NYC- their board is split between appointees of NY and NJ governors . Then there's the MTA Tunnel and Bridge Authority which handles some connections between Brooklyn and Queens. Then there's the Triborough Bridge Authority which handles the Triborough bridge. Each authority has its own set of boards and directors, which are all appointed by the governor.
You can imagine the types of scandals that take place with an arrangement like that .
I wouldn't call the Port Authority and MTA small agencies! And yes there have been scandals and corruption with all of those agencies although most will recognize that there has been a lot of cleaning up over the past 2 decades.
That said South Louisiana has like 4 or 5 separate port agencies, and the City of New Orleans running the airport and public belt railroad. It would absolutely be better just based on economies of scale and comprehensive planning if all of the ports, the public belt, the airport, the river ferries, and even the CCC and/or Huey Long (I know those are state) were under one regional authority whose job was solely transportation and infrastructure. If they were we would have had rail to the airport 20 years ago. But unfortunately it will never happen.
Edit: would also add the Causeway to my regional authority
This post was edited on 6/5/17 at 11:52 am
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:49 am to ClientNumber9
You won't do anything to change "corrupt politicians" unless you overthrow the government. So, stop using that as a crutch. We all don't trust them.
But this particular legislation would raise the gas tax for the one purpose of fixing our roads/bridges/coast. It would add layers of transparency on DOTD as well.
In doing so, you're creating jobs, fixing the infrastructure problem, and adding economic benefits to the state. Do you realize that one of the main reasons plants and manufacturers avoid Louisiana is because of inferior infrastructure?
But this particular legislation would raise the gas tax for the one purpose of fixing our roads/bridges/coast. It would add layers of transparency on DOTD as well.
In doing so, you're creating jobs, fixing the infrastructure problem, and adding economic benefits to the state. Do you realize that one of the main reasons plants and manufacturers avoid Louisiana is because of inferior infrastructure?
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:50 am to ClientNumber9
quote:
Complete bullshite. How many times do you think the Causeway has been purchased and that road is shite. It's got hundreds of state employees sucking off the taxpayer tit but the same thin lanes and not even a shoulder to pull off on.
The causeway is its own entity.
It's not state at all.
This post was edited on 6/5/17 at 12:07 pm
Posted on 6/5/17 at 11:55 am to The Sad Banana
quote:
In doing so, you're creating jobs, fixing the infrastructure problem, and adding economic benefits to the state. Do you realize that one of the main reasons plants and manufacturers avoid Louisiana is because of inferior infrastructure?
That's the problem. A majority of the voting base are stupid as frick.
This post was edited on 6/5/17 at 11:56 am
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