Editor:
A recent editorial lambasted Governor O'Malley for seeking a toll increase for the Hatem Bridge across the Susquehanna River, supposedly because it is a payback to voters from Harford and Cecil counties who did not support him. Never mind that tolls on the Bay Bridge, Key Bridge and both tunnels are also going to be increased. I guess he is mad at the voters who live in those jurisdictions as well.
Sen. Nancy Jacobs and several of her no-tax friends stood on the bridge and complained mightily about the increase several weeks ago. For over 35 years I traveled to work through the 895 tunnel and gladly paid the toll increases as they occurred, because I realized that it not only takes funding to build these entities, it also takes funds to maintain and add improvements as they age. Why do all these dead-beat Tea Party/Republican politicians think we can have a free lunch forever?
Actually, these facilities collect a lot more revenue from out-of-area travelers than they do from the locals. The projected $36 per year with the EZ-Pass, or less than 18 cents per day (based on 200 days per year), seems like a good deal to me . . . especially when I used to drop a quarter into the old toll collection hopper just to get on I-95 at Rt. 152 in the 1970s.
These Tea Party/Republicans who have sipped on Grover Norquist's no tax pledge kool aid can stand afar and safely cast their "NO" votes while their more serious Democratic peers do the heavy lifting. Yes, the Governor and Democratic legislators, as the adults in the room, once again acted responsibly.
James E. Willard
Kingsville