When Joe Wutka (Analyzing Transportation Trust Fund's future, Cape Gazette 4-18-14) writes seven long paragraphs with bullet points to sell us on the possible "95 different ways to raise revenue for transportation," watch your wallet.
He applauds Gov. Markell for "political courage" to increase the gas tax 10 cents and borrow $50 million more per year but he says we need "a better mix of new cash and borrowing" for the long-term.
One of the selling points for the gas tax is the often-used excuse that it "hasn't been raised for 20 years." As if our pockets haven't been picked by other means along the way.
Look at state expenditures from 2003 to 2013: they increased from $2.45 billion to $3.58 billion (46 percent.) Now the 2015 budget calls for another raise to about $3.8 billion.
Has state spending ever decreased in 20 years Mr. Wutka?
I bet a "task force" of 10 citizens selected out of the phone book could cut enough fat out of state spending to fix the transportation and other problems.
Any legislators who vote for the gas tax in this economy, should be run out of office and replaced with fiscal hawks.
Geary Foertsch
Rehoboth
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