Taxing to Pay for Transit Costs

In response to “The Plot to Kill M” (editorial, Jan. 2):

While I agree with your point that those who would have Proposition M overturned in the courts are arguing a dubious legal point and are fighting the expressed wishes of the voters, I am disappointed in the rest of your editorial, which does not point out the misdirected good intentions of paying for transit costs with a general sales tax. Doing so ignores the two purposes of consumption taxes: One is to raise revenues, and two is to discourage unwanted behavior.

Of course we should raise revenues to improve our roads and mass transit systems, but by raising the sales tax rate on general merchandise we are only taking advantage of the first purpose of consumption taxes. If we want to discourage unwanted behavior (driving alone), we should place a tax on gasoline instead. That way a sole driver pays twice the tax of two people riding together.

If we, as Californians, were really serious about reducing traffic and smog, we would eliminate the general sales tax altogether and raise the same amount of revenues from a gasoline tax.

COLIN JACKSON

Pasadena