Eye company wealth for road wear, repair

To the editor:

Yes, the 10-cent per gallon fuel-tax increase is needed, as your editorial explains ('Patching the gap,” Feb. 22).

Hats off to Iowa Republicans who see past 'no new taxes” to address this need. Some opponents say use general funds to budget for roads and cut back on education, social services, etc. Private folk and business can choose how to budget their dollars - some neglecting safety and the environment, for instance. Neglect is not an option for government, which is responsible for the 'good health” of the foundation our society rests on, for smooth functioning and quality of life.

There is a positive side to fuel tax for lower income drivers. Fewer car repairs, lost-work days and injuries related to poor roads all benefit low incomes more proportionately than high incomes.

Weight-based fees should be set on trucks and other vehicles above a certain car-class weight, not just to overweights. Big companies should pay still-higher fees (Size-based regulations go back decades).

Why? Because companies 'ride” their profit-making operations on state roads. A large part of their worker-generated wealth funnels to a small group of owners and investors.

The combined weight of big-company vehicles - doing high-volume trips and shipping/receiving daily - dwarfs the combined weight of worker cars that run down the roads.

It is only fitting that company wealth be eyed for road wear caused by company operations.

Charles Cizio

Cedar Rapids