WCTA Position On Hwy 331 Bridge Referendum

Why can't we just add 2 cents to gas sold in the County. The money stays local as opposed to going to Tallahassee before maybe it makes it back to us as a toll or tax increase would. FL counties have this option. Seems too simple. Gas users should bear the burden of road and bridge construction. But before any option I request an Audit of State Gasoline tax revenue. By my estimates there's plenty of money for bridges and roads nationwide. quick stat check says nearly 400 MILLION Gals/day times that by an avg of almost $.40 state and Fed taxes= $160 Million/day times 365 and I think it's quite a lot of money. Anyone think $58 Billion/yr or so ought to be enough for our roads and bridges?

This is the last I am going to say on this issue. The vote is tomorrow and I hope all will participate whether for or against. County leadership, in all areas is wrong and the WCTA is right, according to them. It is normally a very dedicated organization but in this case, I believe personalities with certain agendas took over instead. Bob, please don't ask me to explain as I will not, but you know of what I speak and lazin&drinkin long dissertation above to explain your position does one other thing. It also explains why others, such as me, have the stance we do. I vehmently disagree with the WCTA position in this case. I am tired of stating why I feel as I do and will vote according to my feelings, though because of the actions of those such as the WCTA, it will be in vain with regard to this issue. There has not been the time nor the effort and ability to educate the electorate on this issue. I'll end by making a prediction. The referendum will fail. Within three years a toll bridge will be started to cross the bay and everyone except the State of Florida will lose, especially the citizens of Walton County.

Andy

Please give me some examples where the WCTA mislead and misinformed its membership on this issue.

Its easy to make statements - now its time to back yours up.

I will recant on the poor choice of words. The lack of reasoning for their stance and lack of education as to their position and why, I will maintain, though.

I really hope Andy is wrong on his prediction (however I am not holding my breath). I hope the voters have asked enough questions that will explain what voting no on the sales tax referendum actually means. Hopefully this self education will convince enough voters that voting yes to the referendum will both ensure a new bridge and road and NO TOLLS! A vote no will create another taxing agency for Walton County businesses, services and anyone just wanting to go to the beach...

The WCTA obviously didn't get their way. I voted for the tax. I hate toll roads and I avoid the Mid Bay Bridge. Some of the people who work in the south end of the county live north of the bay and a toll would really be a pain in the butt for them.

I'll only say I'm glad my prediction was wrong, mputnal3.

Andy A, I admit I was not only holding my breath but making promises to the big man upstairs. I want to pass on my business to my son one day and I believe that a toll bridge would jepordize the future success of our location. I love Walton County but a toll bridge would have created a bad situation for us. I held my breath, made promises to be a better citizen and steward of our resources. As my blood pressure climbed higher and higher I decided to check Sowal for information on the vote. It was like a shot of adrenalin to my faith in the system and people. One of my older customers just told me today that he and his wife do not use that bridge very much but really worried about the people who live North of the Bay and work South of the Bay and therefore took the time to go vote for the tax because he understood there would be a toll if not the tax! I told him thank you, thank you and thank you...

The slick way to get a tax increase is to have it on a referendum all by itself like the school tax last year. Both issues would have been voted down if they had not been a stand alone issue. Just another trick used by creative politicos. I find it disgusting when efforts are made to discourage voters from going to the polls although I voted for the tax.

Politics and big business is rapidly becoming a problem for the free market system. The tolling agency has friends in the governor's office. Fairness in commerce and trade is being manipulated by this relationship. I read where it would take 30 years for the toll to be paid off. Many of us will not be around in 30 years and it is very possible they will need bridge improvements by then requiring more tolls (never ending). I believe we will have a chance to see the end of the tax. I am very proud that Walton County was able to see through the maze of mirrors to understand what was happening. As a society and now more than ever we will need to pay closer attention to policy and not rhetoric and party affiliation.

The slick way to get a tax increase is to have it on a referendum all by itself like the school tax last year. Both issues would have been voted down if they had not been a stand alone issue. Just another trick used by creative politicos. I find it disgusting when efforts are made to discourage voters from going to the polls although I voted for the tax.

I think the tax for the school was a swap and not really a new tax as I understand it, as to whether they would have failed under different circumstances is just to funny. Do you write your own stuff or do you pay someone to do it for you.:roll:

I think the tax for the school was a swap and not really a new tax as I understand it, as to whether they would have failed under different circumstances is just to funny. Do you write your own stuff or do you pay someone to do it for you.:roll:

If you want to call it a "swap" that's fine. I voted for that as well. My point is that the idea of putting a single issue on a ballot by itself is a sneaky way to get as few people as possible to vote. That way the promoters of an issue are more likely to sell the issue to the people who do turn out. The low turnout bears that reality out. We should be doing everything possible to encourage ALL our citizens who are eligible to vote to exercise that right. But I'm clearly against anyone voting who isn't an eligible voter.

It was.

And you really believe a tax will be removed?