As I was reading through the Newspaper My San Antonio, the
article – “Time to Raise the Gas Tax” - caught my attention. In this article,
the author describes the reasons he believes we should raise taxes. Naturally, he describes his reasoning as State
debt, and gas prices not keeping up with inflation.
The
author on the editorial board on this newspaper defends his reasoning; that gas
tax has not kept up with inflation. Since 1991 the gas tax has remained at 20
cents per gallon. Lawmakers say when adjusted for inflation, that’s only 9.2
cents per gallon. “If the tax had been indexed to increase with inflation, it
would be 43 cents per gallon. He also argues that the state has relied on
billions and billions of debt to maintain Texas roads. Texas spends over one
billion a year financing road maintenance. The author also believes we should
raise registration fees on cars. Even though the author has a few valid points,
I still don’t agree with his reasoning except for one thing in the article,
Proposition 1, which is clearly supported by the Express news editorial board
of this newspaper. This proposition would “take part of the [Texas’] oil and
gas production tax revenue” that is directed towards the state rainy day fund
and direct that 1.7 billion portion towards road maintenance. Proposition 1 certainly
has my vote.
The
author has interesting points in this article but other than that. He really
isn’t all that persuasive towards his points. He doesn’t mention the obvious
points that can be observed if looking with a skeptical eye. He avoids the fact
that part of the reason we have debt is because a select few have power and
money which they maintain strict control of. Oil business tycoons and
construction business tycoons who have close relations which certain elected officials
pocket a large amount of money, but that’s whole another story. I only
recommend reading this propaganda article for raising taxes, as an inquiry
towards interesting points other than that don’t bother.
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