Comments about: MTA tries to justify toll hike
A little bird (better known as our colleague Susan Cover) had a story in the newspaper not too long ago about...
[ back to story ]
Bookmark & share: digg del.icio.us Reddit

Welcome to kjonline.com's reader comments forum, which is offered as a "public square" for our audience. We view this space as our readers' section of the Web site, separate from our journalistic offerings. We hope you will use the forum to advance public dialogue and community discourse. As such, we ask that participants refrain from personal attacks and offensive comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate or offensive, you can bring it to our attention by clicking on the 'report abuse' link by the comment. It will be reviewed by online staff. Please understand that 1) a comment is not "inappropriate" solely because you disagree with its author; and 2) there may be a delay while the comment is being reviewed. Please review our Reader Comment Guidelines.


Reader comments

Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First

ReduceGovt of Randolph, ME
Oct 27, 2008 5:44 PM
Good question, Jeff. Unfortunately, once instituted, we must accept the fees and taxes in Maine will never go away.

Hence, please vote YES on #1 to reject the new midnight beverage tax. Enough is enough!report abuse
Jeff of Winthrop, ME
Oct 27, 2008 4:04 PM
Just another tax hike to bleed us dry. Wasn't the plan to do away with the toll booths when the initial construction cost of the turnpike was recouped? Has a "temporary" tax or fee EVER not been deemed permenant buy our spend-happy friends in the legislature?report abuse
Chris of Brunswick, ME
Oct 27, 2008 3:27 PM
PS: I favor putting the entire interstate system in Maine under the Turnpike Authority, except for exits in cities. Then the Turnpike Authority could use the additional toll revenue to maintain and expand Maine's interstate highways, leaving DOT with more funds to maintain other state-funded roads. Everyone hates tolls, but interstate highways are an important key to economic growth and also much safer, per mile traveled, than non-interstate roads.report abuse
Chris of Brunswick, ME
Oct 27, 2008 3:07 PM
Mid-winter is when many low-income drivers are struggling with heating bills etc. Therefore proposing a 23% toll increase on Feb. 1st indicates Turnpike Authority board members are likely out-of-touch with the economic reality in Maine. I would suggest the board defer the toll increase until April or May.

Asphalt and construction costs will likely be low next summer, so it would be an excellent time to spend some money to get the Turnpike into top condition. Also issuing new bonds to put construction firms to work should be seriously considered.report abuse

Show all 14 comments

You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.