The editorial, “Of Gas Tax Bondage” (BDN, May 4), highlighted the Maine Department of Transportation funding deficiencies and the resulting maneuvering by Gov. Baldacci and the advocates of borrowing to solve the problem. We all know the importance of making the necessary repairs to our highway infrastructure but the cause of this latest crisis needs to be understood.

The editorial did not mention the most significant factor that has depleted the Highway Fund. In the last four years, $54.6 million has been removed from the fund to supplement the state’s General Fund. This level of the fund transfer from the supposedly dedicated Highway Fund is unprecedented. If this money was still in the Highway Fund, our necessary projects could be completed and the need to borrow would be eliminated.

The proposed borrowing plan would raise $60 million to replenish the depleted Highway Fund. This borrowing approach would mortgage future federal funds to pay for today’s self-induced shortfall. Taking this approach is much like taking a cash advance on future paychecks. The problem is simply shifted to the future and the shortfall compounded.

The only responsible fiscal solution is to repay the Highway Fund the $54.6 million from the General Fund. Maine people pay one of the highest state gas taxes in the nation and want their tax dollars to be used to fix the roads.

Using the Highway Fund as a slush fund to cover other state spending must stop.

Rep. Ken Fletcher

R-House District 54

Winslow and southwestern Benton