VALLEY FORUM – More Pump Pressure? State Sen. Tom Torlakson is calling for a 3.5 cent increase of the gasoline tax to help bridge the state budget gap and provide some revenue for infrastructure projects, including many planned for the Valley. So, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal asks: Would you support a gas tax increase in a time when prices at the pump are topping the $2 per gallon mark? David Fleming Chairman Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley Co-founder of the Valley Transit Strike Force Van Nuys In the long run, we probably need a gas tax increase because of the great strides we’ve made since the last one in implementing cleaner fuel cars. I think most people will support tax increases for transportation projects, however, they want absolute proof that money will go for transportation. So, unless there is a mechanism in place to ensure that transit money isn’t being siphoned to other programs, I don’t think the public should support it. Ricky Gelb General Manager Gelb Enterprises Encino I would not support any increase in taxes because the government ran very well prior to (Gov. Gray Davis) on a budget that was $30 billion smaller and we all lived very happily. Now our budget has gone up so high, and I haven’t seen any increase in infrastructure or improvements. So we need to find where that money went to and bring the budget back in line to pre-Davis days. There was a surplus and everything was running smoothly. All of a sudden we have a budget deficit because we have too many social programs that don’t seem to be benefiting. James Blatt Attorney Encino No. Any increase (in the tax) would have a negative impact on low and mid-level income households and a detrimental effect on small businesses. Judi Rose Director of Public Affairs Valley Community Clinic North Hollywood I think I would have to, as painful as it is. If we’re going to have a tax to fix this, one that’s tied to something at its peak right now, it would probably be less painful than another tax, say on property or sales. Gas prices have to come back down again and the tax money for the state could be significant. Brad Rosenheim Principal Rosenheim & Associates Woodland Hills I don’t think it’s a good idea given the current circumstances. I think it sends a bad message from the state to the people to increase taxes during a time of economic slowdown, with high unemployment rates and gas prices like we’ve never seen before. While the concept of taxing for specific purposes has some validity, however, the past performance of actually using those funds for what they were intended for is suspect.