Via the Family Foundation Blog comes an interesting notion about where to find more money to pay for more roads:
We need money, right? Lots of it. That’s the only way to fix our transportation problems, or so we’re told. One side persistently wants to raise taxes. Another side says no (sometimes, kinda). Still others have made noise about legalizing new types of gambling and throwing that “voluntary tax” revenue to solve our transportation problems. Rumors floating around Capitol Square today are that this third group will hit the coming special session with more momentum.
So does that means slots for lanes? Craps for congestion relief? Or video poker for bridges and tunnels? As much as that might appeal to some (put down that roll of quarters for a second), there’s another possibility:
Double the cost on all lottery tickets. Amend the law so that 50 percent of all lottery revenue goes to transportation. Problem solved. Education money is not touched. Transportation gets its new revenue stream. Taxes are not raised but on those who wish to pay them. Say what? Higher prices may discourage people from buying lottery tickets? Or create an unfair burden? But somehow tax increases on necessities do not increase prices or are not burdensome?
Interesting. And certainly cheeky. Of course, some will argue that this just won’t work because the revenue stream isn’t “dedicated” or “reliable.” True. But somehow, we manage to use this unreliable stream for government schools and no one thinks twice about it (except when someone tries to divert those unreliable funds somewhere else). And as for the idea of fairness…the verbal gymnastics on that one would make Nadia Comaneci blush. (Cross-posted at Tertium Quids)