Taxpaying citizens pay for public services

To the editor:

In a recent letter, reader Tom Arp brings forth his concerns about the costs associated with trails and libraries ('Trails, libraries should be funded by users,” Dec. 16).

In his letter he succumbs to a misunderstanding that many people have regarding how roads are paid for. He believes that he pays for roads when he drives his gasoline-powered vehicle, paying taxes at the pump.

Since the Interstate Highway System was implemented in the late 1940s, U.S. highway construction costs have exceeded the fees collected by fuel taxes and vehicle fees by more than $600 billion. The majority of that $600 billion has come from bonds, property taxes and the general fund, meaning that even if you do not own a car you are paying for streets and roads. Even locally we see that the LOST tax, not gasoline taxes, have paid for street repairs.

Trails, libraries, schools, parks and even roads are paid for by taxpaying citizens. Although they may not be used by 100 percent of the people, they do indeed benefit society at large, and contribute to the greater good of our city, state and nation.

Greg Januska

Cedar Rapids