The Chairman of West Virginians for Better Transportation says everyone will have to pay more for better roads.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that there are going to have to be additional revenues found from existing sources and, perhaps, new sources found,” Joe Denault said on Thursday’s MetroNews Talkline.
Thursday was Transportation Day at the State Capitol.
Members of West Virginians for Better Transportation and those with 33 other groups were in Charleston to talk with lawmakers about the state’s transportation needs now and in the future.
They were also getting an update on the progress of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways.
West Virginia has 36,000 miles of road and 6,850 bridges to maintain and will have $15 billion in state and federal money over the next 25 years for road work. Estimates indicate it will take more than twice that to keep up with all of the needs.
West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts says a faster growing economy in the Mountain State would help fund needed road improvements.
Without that growth, he says it may be time to look at a higher tax rate for tobacco. “We have a lot of money on the table in tobacco that is going untaxed in West Virginia,” Roberts said.
Those with West Virginians for Better Transportation say driving on roads needing repair costs West Virginia motorists $292 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs, about $229 per driver.
You can find out more about the organization and its goals at www.keepwvmoving.org.
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Comments
Robert
I would gladly pay more taxes if there were a guarantee that the roads would be properly maintained, by contractors that is. I do not understand why we waste so much money on that pathetic worthless organization they call WVDOH. Ditches plugged, potholes, some roads are barely passable, and yet you see those bums sitting along side of their road with their bright yellow uniforms admiring the sites. 6 man crew to patch a hole on my road, 8 hours they were there, 7 of it was sitting in the trucks. No one else can see this going on? Seriously?
February 14, 2013 at 5:24 pm | Report comment
Smokey
Sounds like your welfare check was late, huh.
February 16, 2013 at 5:12 pm | Report comment
Jim
Alot of folks smoke but do not drive ....how's that fair. Tax the fuel, that way the people bitching about road conditions get to contribute to the cost of maintenance. Better yet ...a "tax- disc" that is displayed in the windshield like in England ...just make sure it's national and each state receives the money for each it distributes ...
February 14, 2013 at 6:54 pm | Report comment
John
WV already has one of the highest fuel taxes in the country, but not the highest tobacco tax, I say tax the hell out of those disgusting habits.
February 14, 2013 at 7:06 pm | Report comment
Halley's Comet
There was revenue passed over two years ago that was fair. Both the Senate and House of Delegates passed a bill to raise DMV fees that would go directly to the State Road Fund.
It was vetoed by the Governor.
I think most would agree our roads and bridges need maintained and repaired.
In addition, we still have roads in WV that are dirt or stone at best.
DMV fees, Gas taxes, and taxes on vehicle purchases or vehicle needs should be allocated to maintaining our roads.
One final thought - look at the cost of renewing a drivers license in WV and look at the cost of a Hunting License for ONE YEAR
in WV. I don't ever remember anyone complaining of the cost of hunting license increasing every year; but mention raising fees to maintaining our roads and bridges so that we can travel safely throughout our great state and there always seems to be opposition !
February 14, 2013 at 10:29 pm | Report comment
Empress
I agree with you, Halley's Comet, it is an issue of prioritizing what is important for us to accomplish. Unfortunately, the infrastructure that supports our livelihoods too often takes a backseat to the frivolous entertainments it is more fun and easier to pursue.
February 14, 2013 at 11:05 pm | Report comment
NortherWVman
While I am not a smoker and do not really condone it. It is not place to judge. I just simply cannot make the tie between a tobacco tax and road funding. Am I missing something. Do we have some hidden tobacco fields in WV where the tobacco is transported by heavy vehicles or is this just an easy place to gain some revenue?
How about making all traffic citation revenue, all gas tax revenue and all DMV revenue go toward road repair? Instead of using that money a lot of time for pet projects.
February 15, 2013 at 7:47 am | Report comment
John
There needs to be a complete overhaul with the Highways Division. Even if they did gain more tax revenue, what will they do with the money? Increase the pay of the so-called workers in the DOH. I agree with above, contract the DOH. At least then we will get actual work completed.
February 15, 2013 at 6:11 pm | Report comment
Smokey
John you have no idea what it would take to contract the work the DOH does now.
February 16, 2013 at 5:10 pm | Report comment