To the editor:
It is a rare day when the Legislature overrides a Governor’s veto, but this was one of those times when it was absolutely necessary. Our roads and bridges, like much of the rest of the infrastructure in this state, including education has suffered under Republican administrations.
The gas tax had not been increased since 1988 when the price of gas was about $1. The lack of funding for roads and bridges contributed to the collapse of the I-35 Bridge, the deterioration of our highways, and even to the failure to replace the bridge in North Branch over I-35. Interestingly, the price of gas has tripled since 1988. In fact the price of gas has increased more in one week than the entire cost of the new tax.
Now you have to ask is this increase justified.
The oil companies continue to have record profits, not surprising since Bush and Cheney are former oil company executives and they contribute to Republican candidates.
You also have to ask why Pawlenty and Rep. Rob Eastland are opposed to increasing the gas tax a few pennies, but have allowed the big oil companies to raise the cost of gasoline by almost $2 since 1988.
The gas tax is justified and needed. The increase in the price of gas is highway robbery. Nowhere do we hear Republicans complaining about oil company executives lining their pockets with oil profits. Instead, they are allowing the infrastructure of our state to fall apart by under funding our schools and cities.
The end result has been not only the decline of our schools and highway system, it has resulted in another Republican recession. Time to throw them out of office.
Robert G. Walz
North Branch
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