Of toll roads and your car registration fee
This is not related to the big budget debate, but it has to do with money coming out of your pocket.
The Senate just passed SB 1352, gap funding for the N.C. Turnpike authority.
It's an $8 increase in the fee you pay for your automobile registration, to $36 for your run of the mill automobile, that will go to fund toll roads in the state.
Now, my first thought when I heard this was, "Um, shouldn't toll roads pay for themselves?"
Well, it depends where you set the toll. In order to have a toll folks are willing to pay, you can't set the thing too high. But if you don't collect enough money, you can't pay for the bonds needed to
"Setting the tolls at a realistic level didn't get us there," said Sen. Tony Rand.
This money - about $52 million per fiscal year - will make up the gap between what the tolls produce in revenue and what the Turnpike Authority needs to pay on its bonds.
The Senate passed the measure today and will vote again Monday. It then heads to the House.
Comments (3)
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So they did not raise the car sales tax?
Posted on July 28, 2007 12:16 PM
I've not seen it in the budget and staffers I've asked said it's not there. So no, they didn't.
Posted on July 28, 2007 12:21 PM
Say NO to shifting our Freeways to Tollways!
It's not American period, but simply another form of state fascism at work being promoted by the North American Union Treaty.
Are "your papers in order" is their motto!
Posted on July 28, 2007 2:07 PM