News of Note

 

Tradition won't pay for transportation: New approach on revenue stream, plan needed

By The Coloradoan, 9/7/08

FORT COLLINS — Tradition is good, but not when it comes to funding Colorado's crippled transportation system.

Simply put, the old method of relying on gas taxes - federal or state - to pay for transportation has buckled along with the vision that leans primarily on roads to move people and goods in a growing state.

Members of Gov. Bill Ritter's blue ribbon task force on transportation understand that a bold, new approach is needed if Colorado is to adequately maintain a transportation system that supports its economic future, improves air quality and ensures public safety.

Last year, the task force presented a report that identified Colorado's transportation needs worth $1.5 billion as well as five primary revenue sources: a new visitor fee, sales and use tax, severance tax, motor fuel tax and a highway maintenance fee.

The Legislature gave the proposal a cool reception, in part, because taxes and fees are so politically unpopular.

Colorado currently receives most of its transportation funding from its fuel tax, which hasn't increased from 22 cents since 1992. With the Taxpayer Bill of Rights limiting state revenue collections and expenditures, rising construction costs and more fuel-efficient cars on the road, the spending power of the Colorado gas tax has been reduced to one-third of where it was 10 years ago. Meantime, roads and bridges are eroding and gridlock has become the norm on portions of Interstate 25 and Interstate 70. The federal gas tax is in the same boat.

This year, the task force has laudably returned to the table with an eye toward developing shared solutions. The group will hold a series of public meetings throughout the state (Fort Collins' meeting is tentatively scheduled Oct. 16).

After receiving input, the dialogue from the meetings could become the basis for a referred ballot issue next year - likely a better mechanism than the state Legislature.

The question is whether Coloradans want a solid transportation infrastructure that includes roads and bridges, transit and multimodal options. If cleaner air, public safety and efficient transportation are considered priorities, how does the public want to pay for them? Yes, we will have to pay for it.

Or, perhaps, Coloradans don't believe a new approach on transportation is needed.

We would disagree with those who believe Colorado's approach is adequate for today and the future. A state that prides itself on innovation, economic development and sustainability should be a leader when it comes to its transportation system.