We buy better cars and get better milage, we drive less, we stay around home rather than traveling for vacations to save money. So what does the "State" want to do, well lets up the taxes so any money they saved gets shared with us. Gas taxes get increased automaticlly base on teh cost of living, now they want to add more to it. At some point Augusta might get the message that the people are tired of smoke and mirrors, giving us a tax cut here and then a rate change (up) someplace else. Can't wait to retire and move someplace I can enjoy my money and not have to give it to Augusta.

The State of Maine is in a hate relationship with its' citizens. They hate it that we're keeping our paychecks and trying to survive. I have just one word for everyone that works and lives in the State of Maine: MOVE!

Collins was responible for the Stimulus passing, and agreed to a piddling amount of funds for her own state! Now they say we don't have enough money and are raising taxes for the roads. Collins and Snowe let themselves be played like a couple of cheap violins by the chicago mob - they were so anxious to be involved. Our reps on the state and federal level really suck.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but don't most if not all of our state reps get all of there gas and traveling expenses paid for by all of us? I'm thinking that if they all had to use their own money like the rest of us "common folk" this wouldn't even be an issue...IMPEACH AUGUSTA!!!...HA

If you would like to see some of the massive wasteful spending taking place within the Baldacci Administration, and especially within MDOT, just browse through the details/numbers at www.MaineOpenGov.org.

In particular, look at the amount of tax dollars paid in Overtime wages at MDOT...nobody deserves to receive $20,000 or $30,000 in OT wages alone! It's time for a freeze on all OT, and the terrible managers should be fired.

We must Cut Spending & Stop Raising Taxes!

Maine needs to Cut Spending & Stop Raising Taxes!

Overtime pay alone in 2008:

Executive Branch $ 21,566,027 tax dollars

Judicial Branch $ 95,535 tax dollars

Legislative Branch $ 27,700 tax dollars

Municipality $ 265,186 tax dollars

Source: http://www.maineopengov.org

the best thing the folks have done in Auguta in a long time! I think the law makers they the people of Maine VOTED IN new what would happen if they raised Fuel tax and as for over time for mdot remember winter time and all the storms they had to take care of! you folks that are complaining abouthere over time sure would be crying if the roads where not plowed or sanded because the driver had to stop after there 8 hour shift because he or she could not put in any over time

To Rep Hogan (Democrat of course),

Courage??? It takes no courage or talent as a representative to raise taxes. You are a perfect example of the pathetic people that we have running this state. This government needs to be cleaned out from top to bottom. On the other hand...go ahead and vote in the gas tax...and at least then we will be rid of you, so some good can come of it.

Has anyone stopped to figure out how much money this state makes on the existing gas tax? The majority of gas stations sell at least a million gallons per year. Many are way more than that. There are hundreds of these stations in the state. Then...don't forget the diesel fuel, these trucks are taking on about 300 gallons per fill up. Every single drop of gas or diesel sold puts money in the government pocket.

Nothing can make me believe that either 1. the government is diverting some of this huge fund to other pet projects, or 2. it is simply being wasted.

I can't wait to vote this fall. That will be the end of the tax reform that the state wants and hopefully enact Tabor II and we can take back our state. Then people like Hogan and the rest of his kind will have to ask us to make decisions on his hair brained ideas.

Also...I emailed Matt Dunlap a year ago, asking for the figures that this state makes per year on the gas and diesel tax and where it goes. The response I got was that these figures are not available.....no way....who would have guessed?

To LawDisOrder.......Don't consider Florida for your move.......this state is following Maine's lead but the word FEE is usually applied.

I have to agree with Douglass Thomas regarding less pressing projects. I-295 didn't need to be repaved.

MDOT could anticipate OT and cut regular hours during the summer when you see them leaning on their shovel. Judicial branch could eliminate some by using more of the salaried staff; yes that means judges come in at seven and leave at five and actually do their own admin work.

53 Million to do a make over of the Chase building would have done a lot more good if used for roads instead.When you want more money, tax what people need to use the most.

Collins is a disaster for Maine.. she was the one the wanted to put a federal tax on the energy companies last year. Ya.. Like that would help mainers.. who have to commute long distances, have most of it's goods transported by semi's, and need refined crude for heat more than any other state. But, you voted for her.. so suck it up.

If you want better roads than pay the taxes to fix them. Just look what happen to the roads in New Brunswick because they lowered the gas tax .

"If you want better roads than pay the taxes to fix them"

We pay taxes and they drive away businesses so that we can pay more taxes with less money and they can drive away more businesses.

Time to change the pattern a bit I think.

im just so sick of these people who keep voting for collins and snowe? Why? why cant u cast a vote for someone else, there are WAY to many liberals in maine its too bad.

there republicans

Why would anyone blame Collins for Baldikey's ineptness.