Giving relief to road worriers

In a sputtering economy that just can’t seem to shift into second gear, any idea to raise anybody’s taxes deserves serious scrutiny. But even when consumers are strapped, there are times — very rare times — when more money must be available to get important work done.

Such is the case with a proposed fuel tax increase, which will come before the Clark County Commission on Tuesday. If five of the seven commissioners support the tax increase, the funding will pay for much-needed road projects and improvements in Southern Nevada. As reported Aug. 21 by the Review-Journal’s Ben Botkin, the tax would increase about 3 cents per gallon, per year for each of the next three years, indexing each uptick to the rate of inflation.

The county’s existing fuel tax is 9 cents per gallon. If the commission approves this proposal, the tax likely will increase to 18 cents per gallon by 2016. Each gallon of fuel purchased in Clark County currently has taxes and fees of 52.2 cents, including federal, state and county taxes.

This proposed increase will hit everybody, not just those who rely on their automobiles every day. It will increase costs across the board, pinching businesses by boosting transportation expenses, with those businesses then having to pass those costs along to consumers.

However, a great cost would be incurred if needed road improvements are not completed. If time is money, commuters in many parts of Las Vegas are losing a boatload of both while sitting in stifling traffic during peak travel hours. And it’s not going to get better. The Review-Journal’s Jennifer Robison reported Tuesday that, according to a 2011 study conducted by the city of Las Vegas, the population in Southern Nevada is expected to grow by more than 350,000 by 2020.

As Mr. Botkin noted, the Regional Transportation Commission has estimated the increase would allow it to sell about $700 million to $800 million worth of bonds to pay for about 183 projects throughout the county. Major projects that would get some of the money include Project Neon, which will overhaul Interstate 15 through downtown Las Vegas, and improvements to Maryland Parkway between McCarran International Airport and downtown. Money is also needed for the Las Vegas Beltway, the Boulder City bypass and a multitude of surface-street improvements.

Would you rather save a small amount of money per year at the pump, and instead spend more time stuck in traffic?

Addressing the county’s many road issues eventually will make traffic flow more efficient, improve our standard of living and provide an economic boost. Furthermore, if commissioners support the tax increase, voters will get an opportunity to halt future increases to the fuel tax. On the November 2016 ballot, Clark County voters will decide whether the indexed increases should continue, or whether the higher tax rate should be locked in. A proposal to increase the state fuel tax — currently at 17.65 cents per gallon — will be on the 2016 ballot as well, giving voters the opportunity to approve funding for more major highway projects.

Mr. Botkin’s report states that the commission isn’t seeing much opposition to the proposed increase. That’s a sign that Clark County taxpayers are ready for more road improvements — and a sign that the commissioners should vote in favor of the fuel tax increase.