Ninth District Republican Congressman Tom Graves did an editorial in the AJC recently that caught our attention, and it’s a good example of government out of control.
Graves said that the three cents per gallon gas tax that started in 1956 to build the Interstate road system was supposed to go to a penny and a half a gallon in 1972.
And after the roads were built, the tax should have ended.
But neither one happened.
Now, the federal gas tax is over 18 cents a gallon, and some say it isn’t enough.
Adding insult to injury, Graves says that our state puts in more money to the Highway Trust Fund than it receives from the federal government.
He says that from 2005 through 2009, Georgians lost $839 million in gas revenue to the federal government, and some of your hard-earned money went to things that have nothing to do keeping up the interstates — things such as bike paths and walking trails.
Nothing against bike paths and walking trails, but this is money we have to save for our gas tanks, so we can get to work!
Graves has offered legislation that would let the states keep the highway money they collect, so they can spend the money on highway projects as they see fit.
We support this plan. Let the tax money that we spend on gas, which we all must have, stay in Georgia– to support Georgia roads.
MARDI GRAS
Have you ever heard anyone say there’s nothing to do in Albany? Maybe you’ve said it yourself. But it’s certainly not true this weekend.
The annual Mardi Gras celebration has become one of the biggest weekends of the year, and this year there are more activities than ever. From the Harlem Globetrotters on Thursday to the WWE Smackdown on Saturday. From pro bike races to the Albany Marathon and the Mardi Gras Street Festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
It takes a lot of work and hundreds of volunteers to put on the Marathon and the other activities. We salute all of you who plan to help. For the rest of you, we encourage you to enjoy the fun. Line the streets to cheer on the racers. Head downtown to listen to the music and support the vendors. Welcome the thousands of out of town visitors who will be here for the weekend.
The more you support these activities, the more activities we’ll have. And maybe you won’t hear folks say “there’s nothing to do here” anymore.
Written by Jim Wilcox, general manager of WALB.
