ATRIP $ 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR Gas Tax Increase - I Will Support Under Certian Circumstances

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Feb 02 2017 10:22 PM

HENRY - HOUSTON - DALE COUNTY AL:     Tonight I attended the ATRIP Meeting at Headland High School. The meeting was hosted by the Henry County Commission and Chairman David Money.

The purpose of the meeting was the inform the community of the ATRIP Legislation proposed by the Alabama Association of County Commissioners. This legislation is three cent per gallon tax that is specifically "earmarked" for roadway construction in each county.

The three cent is a $ 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR revenue generator. This will be divided in each county across the State of Alabama and in municipalities across the State of Alabama.

Now I have been against the tax. But I listened tonight to the less than 85 people in attendance to the meeting. And many of those 85 were elected officials or "suck up's" to the click of the communities. And the "suck up's" had to really pour the love on for the gas tax. For the record that was not impressive and seen through very clearly.

But I understand and see the needs are great in each county for money to pave existing roads and those that have not been paved. The bridges that we cross, as described by State Representative Dexter Grimsley, are dangerous and in poor condition.

But the ones that spoke with "facts" and not the suck up's, you did an outstanding job. And riding roads, like Henry County Road 6 out from Headland, definitely money is needed.

SO FOR THE RECORD HERE IS MY POSITION ON THE ATRIP $ 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR THREE CENT GAS TAX PROPOSED INCREASE.

1. This three cent is passed for distribution to the "counties" and "municipalities of the State of Alabama, ONLY. In other words, Alabama Senators and Representatives, NONE of this money goes to the State of Alabama, but is strictly for the counties to use on roads in their county. This money is not meant for, passed for or designated for use by the Alabama Highway Department and they have no control over it's use.

2. The safety precautions mentioned on how the money is spent are specific and followed.

3. That a penalty clause is added, " Any County Commission Chairman or County Commissioner that allows this money to be spent on anything but the road improvements as outlined in the legislation ( discussed tonight ), the Chairman and County Commissioners that allowed it are guilty of a Class A Felony, punishable by a imprisonment in the Alabama State Penitentiary for a period of not less than 10 years and no more than life, with a mandatory time to serve in custody, in prison, of 10 years".

Some Alabama Senators and Representatives will say the State of Alabama needs some of this money. Sorry, it is time for the counties to take care of their roadways. The roadways the home folks and school buses travel.

It is time that we have "local" control on what we need locally and not some bureaucrat in Montgomery making the decision of what needs to be done in our counties and municipalities.

And by adding a Class A criminal felony with a mandatory minimum sentence in prison, not work release, it will make sure all politicians are honest. And many are not and self serving.

We have one in Houston County ( Mark Culver ) who can not be trusted with this money. But hopefully the other 4 Houston County Commissioners have now learned he can not be trusted and will make him ( Culver ) show them every document.

NOTE:   The Chairman of a county commission can not make a motion and can only vote in a tie. So when he gets the county commissioners to vote on things and not provided you with the full detailed information, remember...the Chairman has clean hands because he can not vote. It is the 4 voting members with the liability and criminal liability. So you had better wake up, most especially when your chairperson has a long standing history of being a liar and doing things for his benefit.

So as long as those provisions are covered, I will support the ATRIP gas tax of three cents.

Again Senators and Representatives, for once do something for us locally.

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