ascentoffailure t1_j0s1cmi wrote
I HATE tolls. Yes, we should fund our roads, but that’s what taxes are for! A straight tax like a toll is regressive, meaning it costs a poor person more % of their income or wealth than a rich person. If we want to get more money from tourists, we should find another way. Personally, I just say raise taxes on rich people, especially folks who own a second (or third, or fourth) home in Maine.
Super-Lychee8852 t1_j0sz9b4 wrote
What about people who never use the pike. Now they'll have to pay for it? Even if they're rich
ascentoffailure t1_j0t0hue wrote
Yes, that’s how taxes and public infrastructure works. You don’t pay for the roads you specifically drive on, you pay for the roads in your region. Obviously it’s much more complicated than that, but that’s general principle.
Look, if you can avoid the pike, good for you. But most Mainers can’t. Many of us commute, whether we like it or not. The highway is often the fastest (and in the winter safest) route.
I’m not suggesting raising taxes on you, bub, unless you’re a secret millionaire. I’m suggesting that rich people in this state (even part time) actually pay their share so the rest of us can drive in peace. Fun fact, toll plazas increase rates of vehicle accidents as well.
Super-Lychee8852 t1_j0t0ycr wrote
Making tourists pay is better. Tolls can be avoided. EZpass greatly reduces cost for the average commuter.
ascentoffailure t1_j0t26y2 wrote
But not entirely. You are completely missing my point. Highways exist for a reason - because they are the fastest (and in snow safest) roads. It doesn’t matter if locals can get an EZ pass and a discount. I’m saying they shouldn’t have to pay that on top of their taxes. There are better, more egalitarian, and literally safer ways to fund roads, and that is about taxation and public policy.
Since you’re busy downvoting me, I’ll ask why you’re so emphatic that Mainers pay extra money? You do know that most states don’t have tolls, yes? Or is it that your view is so myopic and self-centered that only your experience is valid? Again, you’re luck you don’t have to commute long distances. Many of us do.
There are better ways to fund the roads, and to support locals.
Super-Lychee8852 t1_j0t40ms wrote
My commute can take me anywhere up and down the coast. One day I can work in Presque Isle and the next day work in Kittery. I drive the pike fairly regularly. If people are concerned about the cost they can go around. The majority of commuters are going through the low cost tolls and with ezpass those tolls are under a dollar.
Most states do have tolls, 38 states do to be exact.
These roads are the snow safest because the tolls paying for those plow crews. 95 north of Augusta isn't as well taken care of
Suitable_Creme_3865 t1_j0uckfj wrote
I don’t have children, should I not have to pay taxes toward the education system? The primary reason to abolish tolls is the cost of collecting/administering them. That creates an inefficiency that’s worth of only the government. 10 year ago the highest toll collectors earned $80k. That number is likely north of $100k now. Start salaries around $40k. Plus benefits, overtime, differentials. Then add all of the administrative staff for ezpass, fines, management, etc. Then consider cost of construction, maintenance and utilities on the toll houses. If we had a “single payer system” aka our collective taxes, we would save all of that overheard on cost of the turnpike, and that would leave just road maintenance. This is how it works north of Augusta.
Super-Lychee8852 t1_j0wb5zc wrote
No you shouldn't be forced to support the school system. Toll collectors currently make $41,600 a year. Managers maybe make 80k but I'd be surprised if they make that much and there's only a couple of them. Those are jobs for people for a system that's completely self funded. Road north of Augusta isn't nearly as well taken care of as the pike. It's not very inefficient as it creates a better product for the user and those who don't use it don't have to pay up for it and over 50% of it is paid by out of staters instead of our own Mainers. Sure there are probably things the pike could probably do better but no agency does anything perfect.
The pike isn't a bad thing
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