Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio)

"open" to the idea of "indexing" gasoline taxes. As the reporter correctly noted, indexing "is a fancy way of saying 'raising.'"

Raising the tax on gasoline is back on the table for study in the coming months as the legislature begins the tradition of interim study. Speaker Staus is open to the idea of indexing the gasoline tax. Why even bother with looking at the gasoline tax? Anytime there is a potential shortage of funds then the gasoline tax comes up in the legislature. Why do we pay a gasoline tax in Texas? To help fund transportation projects is the correct answer. However, over time like any tax it eventually is used to fund other state mandated programs.

According to state government critic Michael Q. Sullivan "gas tax receipts have grown at a remarkable clip. Where has the money gone? The black holes of fruitless mass transit projects like light-rail, taxpayer-funded lobbying, and other dubious directions." As taxpayers we need to demand an immediate end to the diversion of more than 40 percent of current state gasoline taxes to non-road construction uses. Would having an additional 40 percent solve all the transportation issues in Texas? Probably not; however, it would go a long way to finishing up some projects, i.e. highway 11 bridge east of town. When will this nightmare project be over with? Wonder how much of the 40 percent is diverted to public schools? That is a research topic for another day.

Mr. Straus needs to concentrate on legislation already on the books and make sure it is being carried out appropiately before we start adding new taxes. Wonder how the Texas Tea Party weighs in on this issue? Guess I should schedule a tea party for some answers. It is estimated that over 1000 people attended the Tea Party held in Mt. Pleasant on November 2, 2009.