To the editor: Raise the gas tax, and celebrate state's forests

Raise the gas tax

Gov. Scott Walker needs to work with the Legislature to raise the gasoline tax. Most people don’t even know how much the tax is on a gallon of gas. All we know is that when the cost of oil goes up, so does the cost of gas. When the cost of oil goes down, so does the cost of gas — just not as fast.

Actually, by borrowing for road construction and repair, the state already has raised the tax. The only difference is that we don’t have to pay this tax now, but our children and grandchildren will get stuck paying our tax later.

Normally, I don’t consider government spending as an “investment.” However, spending money on road construction and repairs is in the best interest of our state. If the gasoline tax is raised 5 cents per gallon, and a person used 20 gallons of gas a week, that only costs that person an extra dollar a week. Many people spend more than that on a cup of coffee every day. Also, visitors to our state will help pay for the roads they use when they purchase gas.

So come on, governor, do the right thing for our Wisconsin and our future and raise the gasoline tax!

Bill Drilias

Wauwatosa

Wisconsin’s forests

This past Saturday was Earth Day, a time to reflect upon the relationship we have with our natural world and to consider how we balance our dependence upon natural resources with the need to protect those resources for future generations.

To be successful, responsible stewards of our natural resources over the long term, such a balance is critical.

Earth Day also is a time to celebrate. Wisconsin’s forests grow far more wood than is harvested each year while supporting a forest products industry with a $24 billion impact that is especially vital to rural communities. Wisconsin’s forests now contain nearly twice the volume of timber they did at the time of the first Earth Day in 1970. Wisconsin’s actively managed forests sequester carbon and improve forest health, while also providing a venue for a thriving outdoor recreation and tourism industry.

The future of forestry in Wisconsin is bright, as there exists a tremendous opportunity to utilize more of the timber that is grown and harvested each year to produce fiber and energy now derived from fossil fuel.

Those now considering career choices should keep in mind the ongoing need for skilled technicians and equipment operators to help manage Wisconsin’s sustainable forest resources.

Steve Kariainen

Lake States Coordinator

Forest Resources

Association

Hayward

Please email your letters to jsedit@ jrn.com, or mail them to Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, Wis. 53201-0371. Letters are generally limited to 200 words and are subject to editing.

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