RJ Letters to Editor

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Dear Editor,

The Taxicab Authority, whose responsibility is to protect the interests of the general public, has once again proven that the only interests they are interested in protecting are those of the 16 existing cab companies. At the June meeting the TA Board approved a 25 cents per mile fuel surcharge on top of a 20 cents per mile permanent increase. Taxi fares went from $2.20 per mile to $2.65 per mile. At the time this was reasonable as gasoline was approaching $4.25 per gallon. In the order issued by the TA Board the TA Administrator, Mr. Gordon Walker, was given authority to remove the fuel surcharge if gasoline prices fell below $4.00 for 20 consecutive days. On or about July 28 the price of gasoline fell below $4.00 per gallon and has steadily fallen to where it is now at $3.50 per gallon. We are now at 60 days below $4.00 per gallon and Mr. Walker, at the request of the cab companies, has not yet removed the fuel surcharge.

Governor Gibbons has been adamant about no new taxes since taking office and during the current and ongoing state budget crisis.The Governor has vowed to veto any bill that raises taxes on businesses or individuals in these tough economic times. So where does the Governor stand on this ongoing fleecing of the public for the benefit of the existing cab companies? If the Governor has any integrity, he will fire Mr. Walker and appoint an administrator that will not bend over backwards to fulfill the wishes of the cab companies. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen, as 12 of the existing cab companies donated from $5,000 – $10,000 to the Governor’s 2006 election campaign. Will Gov. Gibbons look out for the interests of the public or his friends with deep pockets?

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