What happened to minding one's own business?

[rotor]

It seems to be a mixed bag when it comes to counties requiring reimbursement of rescue costs. Where I go in the Rockies, reimbursement is required, and I am for the practice. Skiers go into off-limits avalanche areas and require rescue. Seems to me they should pay. As for the ocean, how can it be determined that those rescued were foolhardy? If a good system for doing so can be devised, I would be for it. Tradition isn’t always the correct path.

I don't get involved with political issues unrelated to the Second Amendment and use of force because doing so would lessen my effectiveness. However, if I could, I would lobby for a few other causes and issues and one would be to pass a law prohibiting any "user fees" for any service provided by an entity with taxing authority. In my opinion, the fees for ambulance, fire protection, police protection, building permits, city inspectors, municipal bus/train service, and everything else a taxing authority does are prepaid via by taxes. (There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

Where I live the ambulance service is private with a city contract. Same as taxi service, cable tv etc. Many toll roads in Texas are privately funded. Charles, if we applied your logic than there should be no drivers license fee, no chl fee, etc. But all of these agencies need to have some form of funding to make them work and be self supporting. I have nothing against "if you use it you pay for it" theory. But then again I am a libertarian and don't believe that it is the role of government to "provide" these services. There are no "free" services when it comes to government. In my line of work much of what I do is free but that is by choice.

[bayouhazard]

CHL user fees are related to the Second Amendment.

[Charles L. Cotton]

CHL user fees are related to the Second Amendment.

A CHL fee is not a "user fee." I do agree that there should be no fee since the argument for conducting a background check is furthering public safety.

Chas.

[NavyVet1959]

CHL user fees are related to the Second Amendment.

A CHL fee is not a "user fee." I do agree that there should be no fee since the argument for conducting a background check is furthering public safety.

Chas.

It should just be Constitutional Carry.

[92f-fan]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

[WildBill]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

[Pawpaw]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

Only once, to my knowledge. I-30 between Dallas and Ft. Worth used to be a turnpike. Not any more.

[Charles L. Cotton]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

Only once, to my knowledge. I-30 between Dallas and Ft. Worth used to be a turnpike. Not any more.

The first toll road was the bridge from Galveston to San Louis Pass. The toll booth was removed as soon as the construction cost was recovered. As Pawpaw noted, the old Dallas Ft. Worth Turnpike was a toll road until its construction costs were recovered.

Chas.

[JP171]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

Only once, to my knowledge. I-30 between Dallas and Ft. Worth used to be a turnpike. Not any more.

The first toll road was the bridge from Galveston to San Louis Pass. The toll booth was removed as soon as the construction cost was recovered. As Pawpaw noted, the old Dallas Ft. Worth Turnpike was a toll road until its construction costs were recovered.

Chas.

While I agree that there should be no toll roads that use public funds once the cost is recovered that isn't what is happening. Charles, when was the toll booth on the Vacek bridge removed? The Bridge from Galveston Island to follets island across San Louis pass is still operational and charging tolls of 2 dollars to cross as far as I know.

[kragluver]

Regarding the original topic of this discussion - the California couple who had their baby rescued - I have no problem with what they were doing. They were clearly experienced and had a good ocean-worthy ship. I thought the comment earlier about the nay-sayers being as uninformed about what they were talking about as the anti's was a good one and an excellent analogy.

With regard to pay as you go on infrastructure like large bridges, etc. that require continuous upkeep and maintenance - I have no problem with user fees. IMO, if a bridge or ferry in Galveston charges a fee for use, I'd rather it be that way than the costs of that use being spread over all citizens of Texas the majority of who do not use the structure/boat. I can see where one would say, "where do you draw the line"? I have no good answer for that. I have no problem with toll roads so long as the tolls are eliminated after construction costs are recovered as Charles originally stated. Then what do you do about maintenance? Obviously in the case of the old DFW Turnpike, it became I-30 and federal and state funds now provide for its maintenance. The money obviously has to come from somewhere be it taxes or tolls.

I can see that funding construction via a toll serves a purpose when the highway or bridge is needed immediately, and tax money is not available. It is sort of analogous to buying war bonds.

[RoyGBiv]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

Have you ever seen that bridge NOT in the process of being painted?
Constant construction = continuous costs /sarcasm.

[Charles L. Cotton]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

Only once, to my knowledge. I-30 between Dallas and Ft. Worth used to be a turnpike. Not any more.

The first toll road was the bridge from Galveston to San Louis Pass. The toll booth was removed as soon as the construction cost was recovered. As Pawpaw noted, the old Dallas Ft. Worth Turnpike was a toll road until its construction costs were recovered.

Chas.

While I agree that there should be no toll roads that use public funds once the cost is recovered that isn't what is happening. Charles, when was the toll booth on the Vacek bridge removed? The Bridge from Galveston Island to follets island across San Louis pass is still operational and charging tolls of 2 dollars to cross as far as I know.

I haven't been on that bridge in decades so obviously they decided to make it a toll bridge again. I'm not certain, but I believe that, back when the bridge was built and the DFW Turnpike was built, Texas law allowed the collection of a toll only to cover construction costs.

Chas.

[OldCurlyWolf]

(There should be no toll roads after the cost of construction is recouped.)

Chas.

couldnt agree more

Has that ever happened?

The Golden Gate Bridge was finished in 1937. The tolls were just raised to $7.00.

But the last I knew that was only one way. You have to pay to get INTO San Francisco, but NOT to get out.

[kragluver]

But the last I knew that was only one way. You have to pay to get INTO San Francisco, but NOT to get out.

Now that's funny right their, I don't care who-ya-are.

[Dragonfighter]

Have you ever seen that bridge NOT in the process of being painted?
Constant construction = continuous costs /sarcasm.

I lived there briefly. The painting is a WPA construct, is done by hand and by the time the crew reaches one end, it is time to head back the other way. There have been people retiring after 20-30 years having made it a career. Pays pretty well as I understand it.