New York soars due to mass transit
Adam Webb claims that in his experience, New York City has the worst traffic in America, despite having the country’s most extensive public transportation system (“No new taxes for Georgia’s roads,” Opinion, Jan. 27). Frankly, I find it hard to believe Mr. Webb has ever been to New York City.
My husband and I go to NYC every couple of years to enjoy the museums, art galleries and restaurants, as well as take in a few Broadway shows. One of the things that makes the city a sheer delight is the ease of getting around on the subway system. You never have to wait more than a couple of minutes for a train, the cars are clean and safe, the trip is fast, and the fare is quite cheap. Atlanta, with its inadequate commuter rail system, will never become attractive to millennials, who want to live and work next to great public transportation. Without investment in commuter rail, our city will continue its slide into second or third-tier status in the Southeast.
CAROLYN FARLEY, ATLANTA
Businesses should pay their fair share
We have a state government that has been cutting taxes for businesses, many of which use the roads significantly more than individuals to make money doing business in Georgia. By extrapolation, they are the main contributors to the worn-out road system now requiring repairs and improvements. This was not considered while we were cutting taxes, as doing so was good for business.
Now we are reminded that “bad roads are bad for business.” One recent letter writer (Opinion, Jan. 27) suggests that raising funds with a sales tax hike would be fair. Think about this for a minute. Do UPS, FedEx and Delta benefit from and use the roads a lot more that the average resident in Georgia? How can it then be fair to collect sales tax from the small road user to subsidize the business of the large road user? A pain-at-the-pump gas tax hike seems to be the fairest, as there is a direct correlation between the purchase of gas and use of the roads.
WINSTON RICHARDS, JOHNS CREEK
Let’s sock drivers from out of state
Everyone in Georgia is against introducing new taxes. On any road trip north, we are taxed by, among others, the states of Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Massachusetts for using their roads. Why not build a toll gate on I-95 and collect fees on autos with any of the above states’ license plates? What a great way to collect taxes that Georgians spend in other states.
HEFF HEFFERNAN, PEACHTREE CORNERS
