VEHICLE FEE: Gas tax better target

Vote NO on the $50 vehicle registration fee increase. Why should Kootenai County residents pay to improve Interstate 90 when it is used by interstate traffic and residents of adjacent counties?

Have you noticed all the Washington state license plates on vehicles using our local highways? They come to Kootenai County impacting our roads and other public services. Notice the gas lines at Costco and other gas stations with the amount of Washington licenses.

I am not against improving our highways and reducing congestion on our streets. It is obvious that I-90, U.S. 95 and other highways intersecting Kootenai County need increased vehicle capacity. For example, the Huetter bypass is a good idea to reduce congestion on U.S. 95 through Coeur d’Alene, but the results are it moves traffic through Kootenai County faster to destinations outside Kootenai County and spending less at our local businesses.

To be fair to Kootenai County residents, the state should increase the gas tax by a few cents so every visitor dogging our streets and highways pay their fair share. An increased gasoline/diesel tax is a much more equitable way to fund the proposed highway improvements.

JIM PENZKOVER

Rathdrum