We've seen a lot of talk recently about the proposed gas tax hike. In farm country, agribusiness is concerned about rural bridges in decay - bridges that might see a couple dozen cars a day. In suburbia, developers are worried that one of their main urban sprawl cash cows might dry up. And of course, the road construction lobby is just drooling to get more money to lay asphalt and concrete anywhere and everywhere.
Yet what about reality? Is a car-centric transportation system what's needed for the 21st century? For one thing, more roads mean more cars, more greenhouse gas emissions, and more climate change. Furthermore, as people drive less, it makes sense for the public investment to shift. And even as Governor Branstad and his Iowa House buddies deep-six a paltry sum for passenger rail, I predict they'll have no problem justifying truckloads of cash for highways.
And I would not be surprised to see the debate shift from a gas tax hike to a sales tax hike, thus making those of us who use the roads the least (i.e., low-income Iowans) pay for the desired "improvements."
See my additional comments in today's Register online, and tune-in tonight, Monday, for more talk on this topic. Your views welcome, too, at (855) 244-0077.
Tuesday, we talk with Scott Warner of Corazon Coffee Roasters about the debate over what it means to be "fair trade."
Wednesday, we talk with Harold Hedelman about another tool for folks wanting to do more about the climate crisis. Harold talks about the Natural Resources Defense Council's upcoming Citizens Advocate training in Des Moines. (See Events page for details.)
Thursday, State Rep. Dan Kelley is back on the hill - and back in the studio with us for an update on the first week of legislative action . . . or inaction, as some are predicting.
Join the conversation live Monday-Thursday from 6:00-6:30 pm. Listen and watch online at www.fallonforum.com. Call-in at (855) 244-0077 to add your voice to the dialogue. Podcasts available after the program. And catch the Fallon Forum on KHOI 89.1 (Ames) Wednesdays at 4:00 pm and KPVL 89.1 (Postville) Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.
Thanks! - Ed
