By: Chaz Proulx

Republican Representative Fred King of Colebrook has filed a bill to raise the NH gas tax by six cents a gallon. Thank you, Representative King for having the courage to file this no-brainer legislation. The alternative is a toll hike that penalizes NH drivers who happen to live near toll booths.
Unfortunately Representative King’s bill is doomed from the get-go unless the public throws a lot of support his way. That’s because both the Republican ( we’re anti tax no matter what) party and Governor Lynch ( I took the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers Pledge) have painted themselves into a corner and the only way out is through a toll booth.

Tolls v Pump

The logic of a tax at the pump is simple and elegant. The more you drive the more you rely on our roads and bridges—and the more you pay. I often drive a hundred miles a day. I’m willing to pay my share. This concept also appeals to libertarians, because those who benefit the most, pay the most. And really, am I going to notice the six cents? Barely--it's relatively painless.

A gas tax should appeal to our environmental sensibilities as well. Our reliance on toll booths is a huge waste of gasoline and is highly polluting. If you have ever seen the Hampton Booths on a scorching Sunday with miles of cars starting and stopping instead of cruising you know what I mean. We create traffic jams on a four lane interstate.

I have never seen an environmental impact study to quantify how much is wasted. Toss in needless wear and tear on vehicles too while you are at it.

Governor Lynch: I’m a big fan of Governor Lynch, but when he ran for governor the first time I brought up the pledge with him. I told him that for many of us, having a Democrat sign the right wing's anti tax pledge is something we are very uncomfortable with. At that time I was leading an effort to expose the history of the pledge, Grover Norquist’ caucus in the NH legislature and the corporate interests that support Norquists’ organization.

I figured that sooner of latter the pledge would bite the governor and now it has. It has bitten the house and senate Democrats too, because they can't support Kings bill without showing up the governor.

Lastly the gas tax is very efficient to collect. The mechanism is already in place.

This tax makes too much sense to be ignored.

Let's pitch in together and support Representative King.