The Great Guy:

If you believe that this is tax shifting than perhaps each driver should pay at least the same amount of gas tax they paid in 1995; adjusted for inflation. This would restore the MTF and then there would be little reason for the millage. Remember, about that time the state tax was raised to 19 cents per gallon; of which transit would get about 1.5 cents. People were driving a lot more miles per year [[as reflected in typical current leases are at 10k instead of 12k) and fuel economy on the fleet was much worse. Lets see, to make up for inflation, the reduction in driving, the better fuel economy you are looking at probably about 50 cents per gallon instead of 19 cents. As an added bonus the roads would get better too!

The fact is that the gas tax loses more and more money every year and the federal gas tax is nearly bankrupt. The State's gas tax is almost as bad.

Oh and without the millage you might as well say goodbye to SMART. There is no way that they will be able to provide paratransit services for the ADA and elderly without it. Thank God most people in the region don't feel like you and support it; transit is such a lifeline for those without cars and allows them to get to jobs, medical appointments, and to grocers and have a bit of independence.