Why gas tax increases are in cents rather than percentages

Q I’m all for the 12-cents-agallon gas tax increase, but why do we continue to go for fixed amount increases rather than making it a simple percentage? If it had been set at a percentage the last time around, we would likely not be needing to raise it again now, since the amount collected would automatically increase with the rising price of fuel. — Jim Bangsund, San Jose

A You are so right. But the fuel taxes approved by the legislature are now indexed to inflation and could rise over time.

Q Here we are in October and we still don’t have the fifth lane on Highway 101 in Palo Alto because of work on the pedestrian bridge in East Palo Alto. When can we get this lane back? — Neel Valame, Palo Alto

A The merging lanes are ready, but may not open for several more weeks until the final touches on the pedestrian bridge are completed. They are now closed in both directions on University Avenue.

Q I know it needs it, but the entire length of New Jersey Avenue between Foxworthy and Curtner avenues looks to be marked up for a major project. This street is a major path for two schools, pedestrians and vehicles as well as bikes. Why was it not done when school was out? From the looks of the markings, the entire road will be torn up. — Dan O’Neal, San Jose

A The city is hoping to repave New Jersey next year between Camden Avenue and Dry Creek Road. The markings out there now are to identify failed areas of pavement that will need to be cut out and replaced before paving. But none of that will happen until next spring at the earliest.

Colin-the-City-Man says, “We do take school schedules into account and work around them as much as possible.” In any case, the road will remain open during construction.

Q I read a story of a lady who happened to notice a cop writing a ticket on her auto in the street in front of her residence. She rushed up to explain to him that, though the curb was indeed red, she had painted it herself to preserve a parking space convenient to her. The officer informed her that it did not matter how the curb came to be red; parking at a red curb was prohibited and so she had violated the restriction. He wrote the ticket. Karma. — Timothy Bowden, Felton

A Karma indeed.

Q I read the article about the abandoned vehicles on Allen Avenue in San Jose. I have lived in the neighborhood for 13 years and those two cars have been in the same spot for at least the last 10 years. — Sharon Kip, San Jose

A Roadshow Control to Major Tom: Let’s get these eyesores off the street.