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IN year 2000, about 3 Billion bucks were spent on roads, most of which was maintenance (some very new roads are included in that). Of that number, about half was spent in the Twin Cities Metro (home to more than half the population). The correct figure over 10 years is something like 25 billion bucks, or nearly 4 times Andrew's estimate. Car based taxes, which is to say plates and gasoline, typically pay 62% of that cost -- meaning over 9 billion will come from general funds and street assesments (based on street frontage, not actual usage). That none of it is spent on systems that might make more sense for an urban area like ours is utterly ridiculous. The money is there to be used for all kinds of things, yet we pick cars. And more cars. Erik Hare [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.comcast.net/~wabbitoid/ Irvine Park, West End, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, North America, Earth Fine Amish furniture, cedar chests, and crafts http://www.harmonycedar.com _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
