Highway funds diverted

Sen. Joe Perry’s Aug. 23 op-ed, “Maine road repairs can’t wait,” stressed the need to fix our roads and bridges. But Sen. Perry did not acknowledge that Gov. John Baldacci and his party have diverted more than $54 million of Highway Fund money into the General Fund during the last four years to balance the budget.

Where was Sen. Perry when these funds were transferred?

Maine taxpayers pay one of the highest gas taxes in the nation but Maine roads are not receiving appropriate funding because the gas tax money is being used to compensate for General Fund overspending. We all want safe and effective roadways. Maine people certainly are paying plenty for that result.

The curve ball that the governor’s administration has been dealt is the one they threw themselves. After taking the highway funds away, the governor and his party proposed to solve the problem by borrowing from future federal highway funds. Their plan was to use future money for today’s self-induced shortfall which would simply shift the problem to the future and make the shortfall even larger.

The better solution would be to replace the $54 million and start to manage the Highway Fund in a responsible manner rather than employ the quick-fix tactics that have been used far too often in the last four years.

When the Legislature convenes in January 2007, a much higher priority needs to be placed on our roads and bridges. We can afford to bond in a reasonable manner but it will take effective leadership to establish the priorities and manage the funds in a responsible manner.

Maine people deserve to be told the whole story. Let’s invest in our transportation system and stop rationaliz-ing the poor management of state finances.

Rep. Ken Fletcher

R-House District 54

Winslow and

southwestern Benton