Beebe: Right and wrong
Gov. Mike Beebe reiterated yesterday that any increase in the severance tax wouldn't go into state general revenues, but be dedicated, if he has his way, to highways.
Politically, it's the easy call. It enlists powerful lobbies to the cause of passing the tax. Voters tend to respond well to targeted tax appeals and highways are forever popular, particularly as fuel prices and conservation measures constrict the normal road construction revenue base.
But good government would say put the money where the legislature and governor can decide its wisest use, not direct what could be a huge sum to a politically independent agency unanswerable to the people.
Comments
Good theory, Max, but sadly the reality leads elsewhere. Let the likes of Bob Johnson decide how to best use any new tax revenue, you'll end up with either 1) some really swell pieces of corporate welfare, or 2) a bigger pot to fund legislator pork projects.
Posted by: PVNasby![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2008 07:56 AM
"would say put the money where the legislature and governor can decide its wisest use"
Give me a break.
Posted by: Cato![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2008 08:14 AM
I thought term limits were supposed to bring us a new era of competent, above board gov't; at least that's what it's proponents preached to us.
It seems to me that all we've got is the same incompetence and corruption with more variety of practitioners.
Posted by: 70%er![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2008 11:03 AM
If it is used for highways, does that mean that state fuel tax will be lowered?
Since the revenue is provided by a non renewable energy source, why not let it offset a tax credit that encourages the use of alternative energy.
Posted by: succubus_demon![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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March 8, 2008 11:16 AM