Is High Speed Rail the Answer?

This article on Obama’s pouring 8 billion of our taxpayer dollars into “high speed rail” appeared in today’s Albuquerque Journal. The reporter actually does a pretty good job of discussing the very real drawbacks associated with both traditional passenger rail and high speed projects.
The fact is that money is limited and America is not a [...]

Posted on March 29, 2009 at 10:37 am by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Albuquerque Council to Consider Transportation “Tax Increase”

While it has been little-reported in the press, at its meeting on Wednesday the 18th of February, the Albuquerque City Council will be discussing a ¼th cent “tax increase.” The bill which numbered and called “Transportation Infrastructure (O-08-63)” would extend the ¼ cent Gross Receipts Tax surcharge , which is set to expire in a [...]

Posted on February 16, 2009 at 2:25 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Get Real Mr. Rael

With the Rail Runner in its free-trip-fueled honeymoon period and politicians talking about running the gravy train to Taos and Espanola, it might seem that the Rail Runner is a huge success. Instead, as nationally syndicated writer Paul Jacob points out in his “Common Sense” alert, taxpayers’ money shouldn’t be used (or abused) in [...]

Posted on January 7, 2009 at 10:10 am by Paul Gessing · Permalink · One Comment
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Gas Taxes to Double?

Now that gas prices are back down it looks like the tax hikers will be out in force demanding a higher gas tax on filling up at the pump. A federal commission just recommended a 50% increase in the federal tax. Of course, with Obama’s infrastructure “stimulus” expected to cost nearly $800 billion, debt won’t [...]

Posted on January 2, 2009 at 9:29 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Is the Rail Runner a Success?

With stories of packed trains and huge demand, the average person (subscription required) might be led to believe that the Rail Runner can now be called a success. But is it true? Is New Mexico’s commuter train really a success?
Not by a long shot.
First and foremost, like we saw when the train originally opened, there [...]

Posted on December 29, 2008 at 5:58 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · One Comment
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Albuquerque “Leaders” Haven’t Given up on Streetcar

Councilor Isaac Benton created a task force and stacked it with his friends and supporters of the streetcar. Recently, the task force released its recommendations. Not surprisingly, they recommend continuing the 1/4 cent gross receipts tax that is up for renewal at the end of 2009. Also, given Benton’s bent towards control of development and [...]

Posted on October 4, 2008 at 11:00 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Why Vote for Rail Runnder Tax Hike?

Congress just passed a $700 billion bailout bill. While that deal will inevitably hit average Americans in their pocketbooks there is another “bailout plan” on the ballot this November in New Mexico…whether or not to bail out the Rail Runner. Unlike the Congressional bailout which voters had little real power over, voters will be able [...]

Posted on October 3, 2008 at 1:39 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Rail Runner Tax Hile on Ballot in November

With a hotly-contested Presidential race, not to mention Senate and Congressional races on the ballot here in New Mexico, there has not been much discussion of a tax hike that voters throughout the northern and central portions of the state will be voting on.
Voters in in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Rio Arriba [...]

Posted on September 8, 2008 at 4:44 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Amtrak Ridership at “Record” Levels, More Subsidies Needed

News stories this week cited the fact that Amtrak ridership has risen significantly in recent months in response to high gas prices. In a free market, a record number of riders would mean record profits (or at least increased profits), but Amtrak is America’s state-owned, socialist rail system (government ownership of the means of production, [...]

Posted on August 23, 2008 at 3:26 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Higher Taxes for Transit?

With all of the hullabaloo over the Presidential election and US Senate and House races, voters in and around Albuquerque may not be aware that they could face higher taxes if they and their fellow voters approve a tax increase for the RailRunner and “other transit projects.” Recently, the New Mexico Independent did a story [...]

Posted on August 17, 2008 at 4:10 pm by Paul Gessing · Permalink · Leave a comment
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