This Wednesday on Here and Now, we turn our attention to the Arizona legislature. We'll look at what immigration bills are under consideration, what lawmakers plan to do about building more freeways and roads, and some of the more unusual proposals this legislative session.
To call-in during the show, phone (480) 774-8200. To post a question ahead of time, click on the "comments" link below.
The state legislature is looking for a way to fund more highways for ADOT. There is a bill to increase the gasoling tax or pay for the increase in building with funding by paying for private roads. I have a suggestion the state vehicle tax needs to be based upon three factors, (1 ) the number of miles one drives, (2) the amount this vehicle pollutes, and (3) the fuel mileage that vehicle gets.
In this way the people that use the roads will pay for it with an increase in tax. Those that pollute will pay for their pollution and those that use a nonrenewable resourse - gasoline will pay for based upon the amount they use.
Why has the concept of raising impact fees not come up--developers benefit most from growth and should do more to help foot the bill with taxpayers.
Your guest(Ms. Gorman) must not drive the HOV lanes very often. I drive a vanpool van in the I-10 HOV lanes daily. The HOV lanes are full, and frequently move slower than the general purpose lanes. There simply is NO excess capacity on the HOV lanes during rush hours. The rest of the time those lanes are open for general purpose. In fact the lanes are already slowed by all the alternate fuel vehicles traveling with only a driver in the HOV lanes. I oppose allowing any additional vehicle classes to the HOV lanes. In fact the HOV lanes are already being used by commercial vehicles with trailers that also clog the lanes. Having a landscaping truck with trailer and one passenger does little to promote carpooling, the original purpose of the lanes.
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