House Transportation And Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fl, in this opinion in the Orlando Sentinel, states his position on tolling the nation's interstate highways. He supports tolling only if applied to newly constructed lanes.
Some might say that Mica's position conflicts with his $230 billion, six-year transportation reauthorization bill that cuts all transportation expenditures by one-third.
In his op-ed, Mica writes, "My position has been and will continue to be that interstate lanes currently free of tolls will remain toll-free, now and under any future legislation.
However, to expand and build more capacity on our interstate system, I support providing states the flexibility to finance the construction of any new interstate-lane capacity using the surrounding land and right-of-way."
"Attracting private capital for adding lanes can allow us to maximize our highway capacity without increasing taxes."
Note: The Orlando Sentinel has many articles on tolling and John Mica - see related links.
Thanks to Association of American RRs: SmartBrief
Read the full story: My Word by U.S. Rep. John Mica: Don't add tolls to free interstate lanes
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