patrick.net

Broward County Florida is working on Sun Pass express toll lanes on i95.
To be sure everyone is ready to whip out hard earned money for the efforts. The Highway Patrol and Cops have been working over time this whole year making sure to make their presence known. After the last few years of publicizing Florida's new "Move Over" policy. When you see a cop you're supposed to move over. But people are confused by this because the cops aren't supposed to be standing in the traffic lanes, and during rush hour traffic. It's not so easy to get a bumper to bumper lane merged over into another bumper to bumper lane. So just by parking cop cars on the shoulder, even while not working on a traffic violation. They ensure that there's pure gridlock and traffic pandemonium with the first twenty minutes of rush hour traffic.

Broward doesn't want the same thing to happen in Broward that happened in Miami after they rolled out the express lanes. No one even used the damned things.
So the Highway patrol was brought in to create value in the unused express toll lanes by doing what Broward is doing now.

Plus I'm sure that the people who putter along at 20mph in every lane after the traffic has picked up, are traffic impeding moles hired by the State. The Cops just drive right past them, while everyone else has picked 55mph speed. Just don't get caught zipping and weaving around the rolling blockade, or use the HOV lane to try to get around them. Then the FHP will spring into action and protect Florida's roadways from you trying to your destination.

Great example, we need this kind of action on the national level as well.

mell says

Great example, we need this kind of action on the national level as well.

Yes, it worked so well for Kansas, let's try it in more states...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-gibson/kansas-tax-cuts_b_5589663.html

tatupu70 says

Yes, it worked so well for Kansas, let's try it in more states...

http://www.atr.org/kansas-tax-cuts-are-working

Kansas Tax Cuts Are Working

Despite the objections of some – perhaps biased – observers, the Kansas tax cuts appear to be working. Christopher Ingram at The Washington Post’s Wonkblog declared the failure of the Kansas tax cuts based on a single metric – when compared to average US job growth, Kansas job growth has lagged. It should also be of note that Ingram bases part of his criticism off of a Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) study, citing them as a “nonpartisan think tank” – the The New York Times has called CBPP “left-leaning”, The Washington Post has called them “progressive”, and Time Magazine has called them “liberal” as has the National Journal.

To really understand the success of the Kansas tax cuts, one would need to look not at a US aggregate of unemployment data, but at the Kansas-Missouri border where two states share a split metro area and for all-intents-and-purposes a porous boundary.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data details a significantly better trend for Kansas as opposed to Missouri following the passage of the first round of tax cuts in 2012. In the year 2012, both Missouri and Kansas saw significant drops in state unemployment rates. Kansas began in January, 2012 with a rate of 6.1% and finished out the year at 5.4%. Missouri began 2012 at 7.5% and finished out the year at 6.7%. However, in 2013 after the 2012 Kansas tax cuts had kicked in, the two states diverged. Kansas continued to reduce their unemployment rate, dropping from 5.5% in January 2013 to 4.9% in December. Missouri, on the other hand, saw their rate fluctuate – beginning the year at 6.5%, then climbing to 7.2% in August of 2013 before finally seeing a drastic drop in December to 5.9% (partially due to holiday hires in the retail sector – note: this applies to Kansas as well). The preliminary rates for 2014 show Kansas holding steady at 4.8% (comparable to nearby Iowa holding steady at 4.3/4.4%, Nebraska at 3.6%, and Colorado around 6%). Missouri, unlike Kansas, has seen their unemployment rate increase – moving from 6% in January of 2014 to 6.6% in May.

An examination of the non-farm employment data provided by the BLS for the Kansas City Metro-Area, specifically, shows a drastic shift of employment growth from the Missouri side to the Kansas side:

The greatest job growth in the Kansas City metro-area has been generated in Kansas, not in Missouri. It is arguable that the 2012 spike was caused by businesses anticipating a better tax climate in Kansas after the 2012 tax cuts.

From a broader regional view, Kansas still remains a relatively high tax state with a top rate of 4.9% – at least until further income tax rate reductions kick in. Colorado, by comparison has a flat rate of 4.63%. Prior to 2013, Kansas was higher – at 6.3% – than Missouri which has a top rate of 6%. Additionally, the current 4.9% rate is relatively on par with Oklahoma which has a top rate of 5.25% - though, again, prior to 2013 the top rate in Kansas was higher.

While the state budget shortfall has made news, there is strong evidence that most of the shortfall can be traced to federal tax policy changes and not state changes – though Josh Barro writing at The New York Times disagrees. CBO data, that I have detailed here, points to a shift in capital gains filings out of 2013 and into the end of 2012 to avoid President Obama’s “Fiscal Cliff” which resulted in an increase in the federal capital gains tax. This left many states – from California to Connecticut – with shortfalls and downward revisions in revenue projections this past tax year. Long story short, other states who have not enacted tax reforms like Kansas are also struggling with the accuracy of their revenue projections this year.

One final note, Kansas is required by law to have a balanced budget, unlike the Federal government. A significant budget surplus this year will alleviate much of the concern with the lower than expected revenue collections. Opponents of tax reform and spending interests want to try and write an early obituary for the Kansas tax reform. Unfortunately for them, the tax cuts are working and will continue to improve the Kansas economy for years to come.

Some of you are so jealous of our Republican governor!

Brainwashing has consequences:

Not long ago, Kansas would have responded to the current situation by making the bastards pay. This would have been a political certainty, as predictable as what happens when you touch a match to a puddle of gasoline. When business screwed the farmers and the workers – when it implemented monopoly strategies invasive beyond the Populists' furthest imaginings – when it ripped off shareholders and casually tossed thousands out of work – you could be damned sure about what would follow.

Not these days. Out here the gravity of discontent pulls in only one direction: to the right, to the right, further to the right. Strip today's Kansans of their job security, and they head out to become registered Republicans. Push them off their land, and next thing you know they're protesting in front of abortion clinics. Squander their life savings on manicures for the CEO, and there's a good chance they'll join the John Birch Society. But ask them about the remedies their ancestors proposed (unions, antitrust, public ownership), and you might as well be referring to the days when knighthood was in flower.

(From What's the Matter with Kansas, pp. 67-68)

Yes, Colorado has a low income-tax rate, but every single school district is underfunded (43rd in the U.S. in per-pupil funding), and the local public libraries were down to a handful of hours per week, with even the main library on extremely short hours.

HydroCabron says

but every single school district is underfunded (43rd in the U.S. in per-pupil funding),

That doesn't mean that they are underfunded. It just means that they waste less then other states.

You'll never convince liberals. They are hardcore believers that any money we make must be taken away by government and redistributed among government wealthy benefactors and the leftover crumbs sprinkled onto the poor for the show.

FortWayne says

You'll never convince liberals. They are hardcore believers that any money we make must be taken away by government and redistributed among government wealthy benefactors and the leftover crumbs sprinkled onto the poor for the show.

I'm the most liberal person here, and I don't believe that. I believe that lazy assholes owners shouldn't be able to take away 80% of a worker's (a wealth producer's) productivity and redistribute it to himself. Those who make the wealth should keep the lion's share of it. For example, miners should make more money than mine owners because the miner's are the only ones producing wealth.

So, how the hell do you reconcile a liberal right in your face contradicting your Straw Man regarding what liberals believe?

FortWayne says

They are hardcore believers that any money we make must be taken away by government and redistributed among government wealthy benefactors and the leftover crumbs sprinkled onto the poor for the show.

This is an example of an especially retarded right winger. He's not out to lunch on every issue. But he's extremely confused.

Who the fuck do you think wants less of your tax dollars going to the wealthy ? Democrats or Republicans ?

You sound like Captain dimbulb. He's supposedly a programmer that can handle the most elementary logic, and yet he routinely makes up this same type of nonsensical BS about them evil libruls.

The two of you should get together and write a book. You could call it, "The Audacity of Dopes"

Call it Crazy says

Because you pulled an old incorrect Mother Jones chart of Obama spending and posted it,

Feel free to post the correct chart any time.

FortWayne says

They are hardcore believers that any money we make must be taken away by government and redistributed among government wealthy benefactors

You are talking about wealthy government benefactors like agri corporations, the financial industry, and military contractors I assume? Well known bastions of extreme liberals. Curiosity overwhelms me is your house painted only in black and white to match your thinking?

I wonder if the liberals posting in this thread are facing toll increases...

zzyzzx says

I wonder if the liberals posting in this thread are facing toll increases

I wonder how Baltimore is going to fund infrastructure upkeep in the future. Not that the toll reduction is a bad thing, it's a good thing. But it's probably safe to assume that most of the reduction is revenue will have to be replaced by something other than a reduction in spending. Of course you're okay if it comes from a reduction in services to the poor.

I wonder how much bad republican policy you will be able to overlook because of a little toll reduction.

I wonder whether borrow and spend, starve the beast, republican strategy really could somehow work out better than government paying its bills with tax dollars.

I wonder whether ignorance really is bliss.

I think it is if the necessary preconditions are in place.

anonymous says

In just a few days Hogan managed to alienate and infuriate state workers, public school teachers and education advocates, disability workers, supporters of medical assistance for poor pregnant women and doctors who treat Medicaid patients.

Raise taxes, raise taxes, how dare you make more money and not fund our lifestyles?? Pay your fair share moochers-lazy bums who work 60-80 hrs a week and dare to think you can keep more of the money you make. Bums.

marcus says

I wonder how Baltimore is going to fund infrastructure upkeep in the future

With out already relatively high state taxes! Maryland is already one of the highest taxed states in the country.

One way to save a lot of money is to stop giving lucrative deals to people who make campaign contributions!

zzyzzx says

Some of you are so jealous of our Republican governor!

Can you loan us Californians your governor for a few years? We don't like ours.

Anyway you're not answering my question. Why do you think Republicans spend far more money than Democrats?

-----------

Arent you the same person constantly blaming all the worlds problems on Republicans, while simultaneously claiming that the problem is that the government isn't spending enough money?

Why do the right wingers that often get mislabeled as "conservatives", always mislabel their democrat counterparts as "liberals"?

Theres more yearly sightings of bigfoot, then there is liberals in the democrat party.

Dan8267 says

I'm the most liberal person here, and I don't believe that. I believe that lazy assholes owners shouldn't be able to take away 80% of a worker's (a wealth producer's) productivity and redistribute it to himself. Those who make the wealth should keep the lion's share of it. For example, miners should make more money than mine owners because the miner's are the only ones producing wealth.

Do you not even realize that a system like that simply cannot exist or function? Don't you remember soviet union collapsing because of theories exactly like the one you preaching?

jazz music says

When unions had our support, they not only established a life-balance that established a 'middle class' able to earn retirement with dignity, but they put an end to our outrageously routine deaths at work, maiming of workers, and abuse of child labor. When you own the justice system you can always get away with blaming the dead for his own fate.

If you are a traditionalist, like I am, then you should love Unions. The destruction of Unions forced Women to work.

At first it was a choice of well-educated, upper middle class women, typically after the children reached their school age years. Now it's a must for all women, even for those with infants only a few weeks old.

FortWayne says

Unions didn't make it better, our competition was stupid

I'm sympathetic to the arguments that modern unions are feckless and serve mostly the interests of politicians and union officers, but check out what came about as a result of the Ludlow Massacre in 1914.

In the early Colorado coal mining companies, miners were not allowed to leave company mining towns, and were required to do all shopping at the company store. Some union "thugs" dared to form residential camps outside the towns. The response of owner John D. Rockefeller's security men was to fire into such encampments at night, usually piercing tents but sometimes wounding or killing people. At one point, the security men invaded a camp at Ludlow, killing the union leader (he was found shot in the back) and also killing a couple dozen others, including 2 women and 9 children.

This did not sit well with the miners. The union handed out weapons, and there was open warfare against the security men and the Colorado National Guard (also in the pay of Rockefeller at that time). Trinidad, CO was actually seized - one of the few times in U.S. history that a city was held by armed rebels. Around 75 people were killed in armed conflicts.

Finally, Woodrow Wilson sent in federal troops, who disarmed both sides. The union lost all its demands, but Rockefeller was abjectly humiliated and forced to cease treating workers like cattle, effectively abolishing most of the poor conditions the unions were complaining about.

Also, there's no way we'd enjoy the cultural and legal standard of a 40-hour week if it weren't for unions.

jazz music says

Those mega-ranches exist to ensure that a crucial majority have no other option than to work for corporations in cities. No longer an option for us to drop out into farming lives like we did during the 1930's. The NEW DEAL came out of the need to have us all COME BACK working back in the cities again, not from some high minded moral basis.

If this story is accurate, Here's what happens in Red States, then even if you do try and succeed to live off the land, bad things will happen.

jazz music says

The strong independent woman cliché even came along with a marketing avalanche of new consumer products like cigarettes that beckoned "you've come a long way baby."

Something wild - it happened with the Suffragettes. Edward Bernays, the father of American PR, had Flappers march in a suffragette parade holding cigarettes aloft like the Statue of Liberty.

FortWayne says

Dan8267 says

I'm the most liberal person here, and I don't believe that. I believe that lazy assholes owners shouldn't be able to take away 80% of a worker's (a wealth producer's) productivity and redistribute it to himself. Those who make the wealth should keep the lion's share of it. For example, miners should make more money than mine owners because the miner's are the only ones producing wealth.

Do you not even realize that a system like that simply cannot exist or function? Don't you remember soviet union collapsing because of theories exactly like the one you preaching?

Um, the 1950s that you so revere was essentially like this. Even then the owner class got to be fat and lazy, but at least the parasites weren't killing their hosts like today.

And only a complete dumb ass thinks that there are only two possible economic systems: unrestrained capitalism based on greed and manipulation or soviet-style communism based on military rule. If you actually think those are the only two options, you are a moron of the highest degree.

Finally, there is no law in the universe that states that the worker cannot retain at least 90% of his wealth production. No law whatsoever.

FortWayne says

Dan8267 says

Those who make the wealth should keep the lion's share of it. For example, miners should make more money than mine owners because the miner's are the only ones producing wealth.

Do you not even realize that a system like that simply cannot exist or function? Don't you remember soviet union collapsing because of theories exactly like the one you preaching?

The fall of soviet communism, was not about overpaying workers. It was a highly dysfunctional communist system.The evidence almost always contradicts what you say.

Not that you ever learn, but...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2011/12/21/germany-builds-twice-as-many-cars-as-the-u-s-while-paying-its-auto-workers-twice-as-much/

jazz music says

When unions had our support, they not only established a life-balance that established a 'middle class' able to earn retirement with dignity, but they put an end to our outrageously routine deaths at work, maiming of workers, and abuse of child labor. When you own the justice system you can always get away with blaming the dead for his own fate.

Fools!
Thunder, Marcus, Dan, Hydro, and the biggest fool of all, JAZZ.
We don't practice all the accusations you make anymore. You want unions today, based on the needs of yesterday.
Do you send your e-mails through pigeons? Because that is what you are supporting in your statements.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/may/7/hogan-announces-toll-reductions-in-maryland/
Larry Hogan: Toll reductions to save Maryland drivers $54M a year

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday that tolls will be rolled back at roads, bridges and tunnels starting July 1, reductions that will save Maryland drivers $54 million a year — the first drop in 50 years.

The roads, tunnels and bridges affected include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge, the Intercounty Connector (ICC), the new Interstate 95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL), the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels, the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge.

“We are proud to announce what by far is our largest tax relief package to date and marks the first time tolls have been lowered in Maryland in nearly 50 years,” Mr. Hogan said in a statement. “This tax cut will put more than a quarter billion back into the pockets of our beleaguered Maryland taxpayers, and back into our economy.

Maryland should see a savings of $270 million over the next five years, the Republican governor said.

Local residents won’t have to pay the E-ZPass monthly $1.50 account fee. The E-ZPass discount in Maryland will also drop from 10 percent to 25 percent.

Tolls at the Bay Bridge will be reduced. Now the two-axle cash rate drops from $6 to $4 round trip and the commuter rate from $2.10 to $1.40.

“I have thoroughly reviewed the toll-reduction plan, and I’m confident the MDTA will continue to maintain its sound financial footing and commitment to safety and quality services,” Pete K. Rahn, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) chairman and Transportation Secretary, said in the statement. “A lot of hard work went into the development of this proposal, and I’d like to thank MDTA board members for their careful analysis and approval of this toll-reduction plan.”

For a list of toll reductions in Maryland, visit mdta.maryland.gov.

zzyzzx says

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Thursday that tolls will be rolled back at roads, bridges and tunnels starting July 1, reductions that will save Maryland drivers $54 million a year

So about $10.00 per vehicle per year. Woop-de-doo.

This is what excites teabaggers?

finehoe says

So about $10.00 per vehicle per year. Woop-de-doo.

Since you don't live in Maryland, let me clue you in. The previous Democrat governor doubled tolls to outrageously high levels. It's partly the reason why we have a new Republican Governor and record numbers of Republicans in the state legislature (at least in recent history, possibly in anyone's lifetime). Just like when gas goes up, people stop driving, and the towns on the coast that depend on tourism are going to probably notice this the most.

Hogan also had some serious coat-tails at the local levels as well. We have some new Republican country executives in places where I never expected that to happen.

zzyzzx says

finehoe says

So about $10.00 per vehicle per year. Woop-de-doo.

Since you don't live in Maryland, let me clue you in. The previous Democrat governor doubled tolls to outrageously high levels. It's partly the reason why we have a new Republican Governor and record numbers of Republicans in the state legislature (at least in recent history, possibly in anyone's lifetime). Just like when gas goes up, people stop driving, and the towns on the coast that depend on tourism are going to probably notice this the most.

Hogan also had some serious coat-tails at the local levels as well. We have some new Republican country executives in places where I never expected that to happen.

You are a liar. MDTA sets rates. The governor asked the MDTA board since they had a surplus if they could reduce the rates and they did. He has no power at all to set rates. Now he's making political hay out of it.

bob2356 says

The governor asked the MDTA board since they had a surplus if they could reduce the rates

If we had a Governor Brown instead there would be no rate reduction.

Former Governor O'Malley (a Democrat who now wants to be president) wanted to lease land for a farm to a campaign contributor for $1 per year. I am not sure that went through because of all the press it got. He also moved some state agencies from their state owned buildings, where they paid no rent, to buildings rented from campaign contributors at above market rents. Those are just the things I can think of off the top of my head. There things will not happen with Governor Hogan, and yes he mentioned these things in his campaign.

anonymous says

Republican lawmakers favor investments in infrastructure and higher education, and the governor is committed to not raising taxes.

You can pay for road repairs, or you can pay your mechanic to replace wheel rims, ball joins and tie rods.

Next time you're in Colorado, check out the potholes and the corduroy asphalt at every intersection, and on some straightaways. Even in central areas, roads are bone-jarring.

zzyzzx says

One way to save a lot of money is to stop giving lucrative deals to people who make campaign contributions!

Problem: some people make donations to influence the government.
Republican solution: Get rid of the government.

Because, of course, all actions to restrict donations are futile, governments are generally useless, and anarchy is proven a superior system.

Another benefit to electing Hogan:
http://www.roads.maryland.gov/Pages/release.aspx?newsId=2369

New Maryland State Law Makes Maximum Speed Limit 70 MPH Effective October 1

Drivers traveling on Interstate 68 in Western Maryland will save a little time thanks to a new 70 mph speed limit on the highway. Beginning October 1, the maximum speed limit in the State increases from 65 mph to 70 mph. The new law allows the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) to raise highway speed limits up to 70 mph on select roadways.

Governor Hogan signed the new maximum speed limit law following the 2015 legislative session. Supporters of the law noted numerous highways in adjacent states, including West Virginia and Virginia, are posted at 70 mph and that Maryland highways should be consistent.