With spring around the corner, Cincinnati is preparing for a long year of repairing our cities roads and bridges. Due to the insufficient funding, Cincinnati is proposing that we increase tax at the pump in order to pay for these repairs. For students who drive at Elder this can become frustrating. Many students pay for their own gas, and an increase in gas prices would cause them to have to pay even more than they already do.

Senior Alex Nagel commented briefly on the issue.  He said, “I would not really mind the increase if the city actually uses the money to fix the roads and bridges.”

Nagel made it clear to let me know about previous projects Cincinnati has started but hasn’t completed. One of these projects being the underground subway system built many years ago funded by our own tax paying dollars. I also asked Nagel what his thoughts were on the new FCC stadium being built and his thoughts on where that money would be coming from. He informed me that this was all funded by private donors and this would not effect a tax increase for the people of Cincinnati. Before ending my conversation he informed me that he’s had bad experiences with our road conditions here in Cincinnati. Nagel stated, “I hit a pothole last year and had to get a new tire and alignment. The total cost was $250 out of my own pocket!”

I decided to switch sides on the matter and go to a less conservative point of view being that of senior Jack Dowling. Jack commented that he thinks the city should tax the upper class at least 60% of their total income after federal taxes to set aside for these road conditions and bridge repairs. Although I disagree with Jack on his ideas, I was interested in seeking out someone of different views than Nagel.

Lastly, I asked Trent Jones his thoughts on the matter and his response was that he had $30 in his savings account as of right now so he’d rather they not raise prices at the pump.

$250 million will be put forward to major construction projects and another $250 million to expand safety initiatives and reduce crashes. The next $500 million will be used for maintenance. All of these things are needed to improve our city and will help drivers all around the Tri-state.