A Bay Area Gas Tax or Fee to Benefit Public Transit?

We all know the facts about buying gasoline, we are practically the most expensive in the country. But we also know that Governator Arnold has been taking away tax money earned through the taxing of gasoline that was supposed to fund public transit, but instead been used to offset the state budget deficit. Because of the siphoning, transit agencies took a big hit on their funding source from the state.

An interesting article came from the Chronicle this morning about the local transit officials getting back their transit funding from the state, but what really struck me was a regional tax or fee dedicated to transit.

That sounds like an interesting concept. Add a few more cents per gallon to allow more funds to be dedicated solely to public transportation for our region only. Regardless if you buy gas in San Jose or Marin, you know that just a few pennies per gallon is helping to provide much needed public transit for everyone.

But... the MTC did say that there is a difference between a "tax" and "fee." In order for a tax to pass by voters, it needs at least a two-third majority, but if it's just a fee, it only needs a simple majority (50% plus one).

I think there should be some big restrictions to the money being raised: They should propose that this tax/fee can never be used for other purposes than public transportation. There will be no siphoning it to fix highways or bridges, just for the transit agencies. Maybe also make a rule that the money cannot be used to pay for salaries. Just because you get an extra several million dollars doesn't mean employees and unions can abuse that money to their advantage by demanding higher salaries, bonuses, or expensive overtime.

Reaction - Governor Arnold Bans Cell Phone Use for Minors

I really dispute the idea of Governor Arnold banning the use of cell phones while driving for people under the age of 18. See article here.

• Why do we go after only teenagers that are able to be legal to drive (16 to 17.9)? This might sound strange, but it seems easier to pass laws and policies against people that are under the voting age because they can't vote to recall elected public officials. If they were to ban the use of cell phones to adults, then just watch voters get revenge on the governor by not supporting him. But when thinking of "protecting the children," it is easy to target children.
• Think of it this way, some of those curfew policies that target under 18 year olds is not exactly fair because there is this stigma that people under 18 don't have a voice and can't complain, so adults always thinks of what is 'right' or 'wrong.'
  
• Why not try to pass a law to use headsets? I drive with a bluetooth headset, even though the law for adults has not been enforced yet.
• How the hell can you enforce the teenage cell phone ban law if the cops can't pull you over (see article)?
• Did Arnold use those statistics from AAA about cell phone use?
• Lets remember that statistics can lie and can be tweaked just right to make it in their favor.
  
• Only 1,000 were surveyed. JUST HOW MANY TEENS LIVE IN THIS STATE?
• If you were asked if you ever used a mobile device while you drive, nearly everyone would agree (even me, I've callled 911 at least once). If you worded the question differently, like do you use it everyday or at least three times a week, then the results would be drastically different.
• Would the statistics be different if they asked the question:
• Do you use a mobile device while driving without a headset?
• Do you use a mobile device while driving with a headset?
  
• How much money did AAA feed down Arnold's throat? Plus, the DMV contracts out AAA to do some of the car registration stuff at their offices, why do I have a feeling that this may be biased?
• The decent thing I will say is, I don't support anyone using a mobile device like a PDA, notebook computer, or DVD player while driving. That's a little too extreme.

Here's a way to cheat the system you teenagers! Since cops can't pull you over for using a cell phone, attach a speakerphone to your car (bluetooth is now available) so that the cops won't see you put a phone to your ear.

Let's summarize my rants:
There's always another way to get around the system.
Statistics suck.