Measure 24-95Arguments Against:TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT, VOTE NO ON THE MARION COUNTY GAS TAX! Voters are being asked to approve a 3 cent county gas and diesel tax on November 4th. Because the legislature failed to pass any increase in the statewide gas tax, the county now wants to impose a 3 cent tax. What the legislature did was wrong, we need to maintain and improve our transportation systems, especially in the high growth areas of the state. It is also wrong for the county to abandon the traditional way we fund our roads by imposing new county gas and diesel taxes. And as we all know, two wrongs don't make a right. We should VOTE NO on the county gas tax and urge our state legislators to fund our highway system. We need to tell them that we want a statewide solution that responsibly funds transportation projects, not a patchwork of local county taxes. If we start funding our highways at the county level the state legislature will be wary of passing any new state gas taxes. That means that our overall system of roads and highways will begin to deteriorate and each county and city will face an increasing burden trying to maintain their roads. Once we start down this path the ability to pass a reasonable statewide gas tax increase that will work to the benefit of all Oregonians becomes next to impossible. Oregon has been funding their road construction and maintenance through the state gas tax since the late twenties, increasing or imposing a new county gas tax is a drastic step away from that time tested formula. We need to tell our political leaders that two wrongs don't make a right: fund roads adequately at the state legislature, and VOTE NO ON THE COUNTY GAS TAX! Oregon Petroleum Marketers Association) The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Marion County nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument. Marion County does not correct errors in spelling or grammar.
Return to this Measures Menu |