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Raise the drink tax
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In response to the Perspectives commentary by Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana ("Use RAD Funding for Transit," Aug. 28): While they paint a rosy future for Regional Asset District collections, those of us with longer memories remember when a similar rosy future was painted for public employee retirement funds that would allow liberalizing retirements without costing the taxpayers anything. We are all paying for that miscalculation now.
Without debating whether the Port Authority is a regional asset or not, there is a simple solution available for increasing funding. In 2008, Dan Onorato implemented the drink tax to fund public transit. It was subsequently lowered because it brought in excess money.
If Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald truly believes the Port Authority is a vital asset, he should request and defend an increase in the drink tax instead of raiding funding for regional assets that have few, if any, options for funds.
DANIEL TAYLOR
Indiana Township
First Published September 3, 2012 12:00 am
