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Letter
to the Editor
The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, California September 8, 1998 |
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Editor: In a recent editorial, The Press Democrat criticized the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF’s) opposition to the proposed sales tax measure on Sonoma County’s November ballot. The Press Democrat, a New York Times Company paper, noted correctly that EDF does have a better idea than the simple construction of two new lanes on Highway 101, which is the principal construction project that Sonoma County claims will be paid for with sales tax revenue. Rather than raising sales taxes from all county residents to build the new lanes whether they use Highway 101 a lot, a little, or not at all, EDF believes, along with a recent study commissioned by the San Francisco Bay region’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), that a better alternative would have the users of the newly constructed lanes pay for their construction, while allowing car poolers to go for free. The New York Times, citing such venerable authorities as Franklin Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower, recently embraced such Express Lanes in an August 15 editorial entitled "Toll Phobia and America’s Interstates." Yet, The Press Democrat, which never saw a growth-inducing project it didn’t like, calls EDF’s approach "novel" and worries that "the rabble" won’t be able to drive if an Express Lane approach is favored. The MTC study actually demonstrates that relative to simple highway expansion, Express Lanes would reduce congestion even while increasing overall highway use. All highway users would benefit from the installation of Express Lanes, including those who choose to stay on existing free lanes, thus avoiding any tolls. Cheap shots by The Press Democrat aside, it’s time to stop lobbing rhetorical bombs and to debate the proposed sales tax increase on its own merits.
Sincerely yours, Senior
Attorney |
Citizens Against Wasting
Millions
P.O. Box 4449 Santa Rosa, CA 95402-4449
(707) 523-2686
