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re: Off Topic: Governor Ivey's proposed gas tax increase
Posted on 3/3/19 at 3:38 pm to RollTide4Ever
Posted on 3/3/19 at 3:38 pm to RollTide4Ever
John Milner, you seem to have a problem with people that read the Bible. You're obviously an atheist. You should read the Bible sometimes, you might find it worthwhile.
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Posted on 3/3/19 at 4:40 pm to Dick Tracy
The problem with Alabama, and some other states as well, is that once the lottery money starts coming in and is earmarked for education or whatever the legislature will be slobbering over it like a pedifile at a Girl Scout convention. Soon they will figure out a way to "borrow" from the fund with the promise to pay it back later and your back where you started at....needing to raise taxes.
Posted on 3/3/19 at 4:44 pm to CrimsonPlanet
I agree. Slimey bastards in Montgomery are the problem
Posted on 3/3/19 at 4:51 pm to CrimsonPlanet
quote:
The problem with Alabama, and some other states as well, is that once the lottery money starts coming in and is earmarked for education or whatever the legislature will be slobbering over it like a pedifile at a Girl Scout convention. Soon they will figure out a way to "borrow" from the fund with the promise to pay it back later and your back where you started at....needing to raise taxes.
No, what you have to fight against is as soon as that lottery money starts pouring in, the legislature wants to divert the money they were spending on education since “the lottery can make up the difference.” So instead of more dollars for education, the funding is the same, it’s just from another source. They started trying to do that here in Florida and the citizens started raising hell and at least mitigated the damage. Lottery money should ENHANCE the education budget, not replace it.
Posted on 3/3/19 at 5:25 pm to John Milner
quote:
That stupid tax helped to fund a hell of a lot of resources to my children's schools in Georgia, then paid for their college educations. I'm pretty sure it helps kids go to college that, in Alabama, might not be able to afford it. So who's the stupid?
I didn't say it was a stupid tax. I said it was a tax on stupid people. Like I said...spend some time watching the people who buy the tickets, at least in Tennessee. They aren't people with kids headed to college.
I noticed that you didn't mention how much you'd spent on lottery tickets over the years, so I'm assuming that's zero. You make my point for me.
Posted on 3/3/19 at 5:32 pm to Dick Tracy
And you're wrong. I'm a strong believer but I am not blind to the hypocrisy of the holier than thou
Posted on 3/3/19 at 5:40 pm to BamaGradinTn
"I noticed that you didn't mention how much you'd spent on lottery tickets over the years, so I'm assuming that's zero. You make my point for me. "
No, I rarely ever buy a ticket because the odds are against you. Still, I regret that the kids in Alabama don't get to take advantage of the proceeds a lottery can afford them. Though I have lived most of my life in Georgia I am originally from Alabama and have family there. Most of the lottery business at state line convenience stores are Alabama residents effectively helping to support Georgia schools
No, I rarely ever buy a ticket because the odds are against you. Still, I regret that the kids in Alabama don't get to take advantage of the proceeds a lottery can afford them. Though I have lived most of my life in Georgia I am originally from Alabama and have family there. Most of the lottery business at state line convenience stores are Alabama residents effectively helping to support Georgia schools
Posted on 3/3/19 at 7:00 pm to John Milner
If we didn't frick up in 1998, we wouldn't need a gas tax in 2019
Posted on 3/3/19 at 7:18 pm to Roll Tide Ravens
Asa resident of Louisiana let me tell you our tax situation sucks hind tit and gets worse with any democratic governor we have. We already pay a 10- 10.5% sales tax and a property tax. I hate this god forsaken states politics. I vote no on every tax increase and milage tax they propose. They use terms like temporary but it never goes away. Our next election can’t get here fast enough to get this jerk out of office. They misappropriate funds all the time. How do we run s huge state deficit when we have over half the popular of idiots in this state playing lottery. That money was supposed to go for education and what not. It never goes where it is supposed to. The government overspends then asks is to foot the bill for things that don’t even benefit us.
Posted on 3/3/19 at 10:45 pm to labamafan
quote:
Asa resident of Louisiana let me tell you our tax situation sucks hind tit and gets worse with any democratic governor we have. We already pay a 10- 10.5% sales tax and a property tax. I hate this god forsaken states politics. I vote no on every tax increase and milage tax they propose. They use terms like temporary but it never goes away. Our next election can’t get here fast enough to get this jerk out of office. They misappropriate funds all the time. How do we run s huge state deficit when we have over half the popular of idiots in this state playing lottery. That money was supposed to go for education and what not. It never goes where it is supposed to. The government overspends then asks is to foot the bill for things that don’t even benefit us.
Why not vote the folks out? Is it a fiefdom down there?
Posted on 3/4/19 at 8:28 am to Roll Tide Ravens
I like that Gov Ivey has adopted the infrastructure plan Walt Maddox proposed in his campaign, that she criticized during the campaign.
Not a big fan of a gas tax increase, but something needs to be done about this state's infrastructure.
Not a big fan of a gas tax increase, but something needs to be done about this state's infrastructure.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 8:34 am to The Spleen
quote:
Not a big fan of a gas tax increase, but something needs to be done about this state's infrastructure.
I mean, it hasn't been increased since the early 90's. Our population has grown by about 700k, we have a lot more roadway to maintain, and material/construction costs have increased. We badly need a gas tax increase.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 8:55 am to pvilleguru
And let me tell you, as a citizen of the Florida panhandle, what happens with Alabama residents and lottery tickets happens in reverse with Florida residents close enough to the Alabama line to buy their gas there. We pay 20-30 cents more a gallon for gas than you do because of taxes.
Now there again, Alabama couldn’t raise their gas tax to Florida levels; it would be too painful and ours is so high so the tourists will pay for the infrastructure but geez Louise, another dime in gas tax would be a smart move.
Now there again, Alabama couldn’t raise their gas tax to Florida levels; it would be too painful and ours is so high so the tourists will pay for the infrastructure but geez Louise, another dime in gas tax would be a smart move.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 11:58 am to Roll Tide Ravens
quote:He should be able to track the mileage for legit business uses and file as an expense, no?
My father owns a small business. He drives 35,000+ miles every year.
But, to your point, I agree.
As a taxpaying service member who hasn't lived in the state for 20+ years but has certainly paid into it, I think it is a bandaid approach to generate funding. It may absolutely be needed, but someone should show their work before putting it to the vote. How much was allocated originally, how has it been managed and spent, has a holistic assessment and potential re-prioritization of all requirements taken place, etc.
I think there is fat to trim and monies that could be re-appropriated from elsewhere. And, I am unconvinced we have looked to streamline efficiencies and right size state programs/employment to find more. More money isn't generally the solution.
Further, the state income tax, property tax, and sales taxes need to be managed better as a whole.
Personally, if these become the preferred, easy button, money generation routes. I'd prefer to eliminate state income tax and simply make up the gains in a tiered sales tax approach that targets different commodities at different rates. This ensures we ALL put into the system. Cost of goods will rise, but so do end of month paychecks.
This post was edited on 3/4/19 at 12:01 pm
Posted on 3/4/19 at 12:21 pm to Che Boludo
The tax is needed but they should spread it out over more years.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 1:16 pm to Che Boludo
quote:
monies that could be re-appropriated from elsewhere.
No. 93% of Alabama's budget is earmarked. FAR more than any other state, and it's not even close. This is what happens every time there is a new tax. It goes directly to some pet project and can never be used anywhere else.
There aren't other places to draw money from. Only 7% of Alabama's budget is discretionary, and all of the rest has been codified into the state constitution, so that it can't be undone without a fricking amendment.
This post was edited on 3/4/19 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 3/4/19 at 2:08 pm to Roll Tide Ravens
quote:
Where do you stand on it?
I'm wholly against any tax increases at an level of the government.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 2:10 pm to Evolved Simian
quote:
No. 93% of Alabama's budget is earmarked. FAR more than any other state, and it's not even close. This is what happens every time there is a new tax. It goes directly to some pet project and can never be used anywhere else.
There aren't other places to draw money from. Only 7% of Alabama's budget is discretionary, and all of it has been codified into the state constitution, so that it can't be undone without a fricking amendment.
This is the real problem, and folks yell if the state government ever tries to reverse the earmarks. Earmarks have destroyed the ability for our state government to do anything.
Posted on 3/4/19 at 2:40 pm to imjustafatkid
quote:
Earmarks have destroyed the ability for our state government to do anything.
Truth. Every new source HAS to be earmarked so that it will never be used for any other purpose, even if it's fricking useless. It guarantees a never ending gravy train to some representative's pet projects somewhere. It's in the budget forever for that purpose only. It doesn't matter if your bridges are collapsing.
This is the single biggest reason for dysfunction in Alabama's budgeting.
Hell, we're still collecting property tax that, by law, has to go to the Confederate veterans nursing home. The last veteran died 75 years ago, so they just call it a memorial park now, and keep paying for the goddamned thing.
This is also the reason it pisses me off when people say they'll only vote for a lottery if it's 100% earmarked for education. It's just fricking stupid.
This post was edited on 3/4/19 at 2:44 pm
Posted on 3/4/19 at 2:51 pm to coachcrisp
quote:
PS- And why would an industry-poor state want to raise property taxes for perspective industries to consider?
In the bigger picture, that Alabama seems to put all of it's eggs in the basket of industries and businesses attracted mainly to absurdly low taxes and the cheapest in unskilled labor instead of those businesses drawn to areas with a more educated populace is short-sighted to say the least.
This post was edited on 3/4/19 at 4:44 pm
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