Raising gas tax isn’t the only option

To the editor: If Iowa needs more money to build, repair or replace our new highways, bridges, etc., rather than burden the public with an unpopular gas tax, the following are suggested ways to get the needed money:

Place a small tax on all trucks, trailers, buses and passenger cars, tires, motor oil, transmission fluid antifreeze and windshield fluid. Now that bicyclists are using our streets and highways, place a small tax on bicycles to help pay for their use of our streets and highways. This would bring in enough money for all of our superstructure needs for a long time.

It will finance the cost of highways and bridges, plus the cost to finance a passenger train from Des Moines to Chicago, with money leftover for future maintenance for all.

We need to change our way of thinking about taxing gas.

Paul H. Croy

Cedar Rapids