From Mark's Desk:
May 4 , 2006 

“Robbing Peter to Pay Phil?”

Dear Friends,

Here’s some fuel for thought. Next time you pay $3 plus to “Phil ‘er Up” at the gas station, ask yourself why Phil Bredesen thinks we have a gas tax in Tennessee.

Nearly two weeks ago, the Governor told reporters that restoring gas tax revenues in the Tennessee transportation fund is “money we don’t have.”

Yesterday, the Governor reported the state has an unexpected windfall of not less than $116 million. It could be as much as $178 million.

Why does he want to continue diverting your gas tax dollars to new entitlement programs having nothing to do with infrastructure or transportation?

The Governor’s budget for next year proposes to divert another $43.4 million in gas tax revenues from the transportation fund. He’s already taken $217 million since becoming governor. You pay about 21 cents on every gallon of gas you buy to pay for roads, bridges and public transportation among other transportation needs in this state. It is what has traditionally made us a “pay as you go” state rather than one which borrows to maintain infrastructure.

The Governor says restoring the road fund will wreck the state’s finances. It’s hard to see how. Especially with this week’s “windfall.”

If the governor doesn’t think we need the gas tax for transportation funding, then why not reduce the tax?

We are not asking for new funds. We’re asking for the Governor to shoot straight with taxpayers. And we’re asking him to put your money back where it belongs.