Can't mention the best solution

Obama and the White House called last week Infrastructure Week to focus attention on the need to replenish the Highway Trust Fund. That's the pot of money that pays for lots of national road rebuilding projects. And in Michigan we could use whatever we can get.

When that fund was set up a long time ago the source of money was a federal gas tax. But the gas tax hasn't been raised since 1993 and since then we have more efficient cars and drive fewer miles. For the last several years Congress has had to transfer money into the HTF to keep it going.

The best solution? Raise the gas tax. That's the only way to insure the funding will be secure. In addition a higher gas tax is good for the environment.

One little problem. If the GOP proposes raising the gas tax (or any tax) they get blasted by the Tea Party. If the Dems propose a raise they get blasted by the GOP. So the best solution is one that politicians can't talk about.