Tolling isn't the entire solution to highway financing needs. But it's a market-based, free-enterprise partial answer, as opposed to Frank's preference: Tax, tax, tax.

Pignanelli: "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it and then misapplying the wrong remedies." This relevant gem of wisdom was handed down from the great American philosopher Groucho Marx. Toll roads are certainly the incorrect remedy for a misdiagnosed problem. The real crisis is the unwillingness of state leaders to increase gas taxes, utilize bonding and other financial resources to build needed highways. (LaVarr thumps his chest with the mantra "no taxes" because he is happy to have someone else pay extra for what he takes for granted — cruising for free on the Legacy Parkway.)

Americans expect three basic commodities from local government: public safety, quality education for the children and the ability of citizens and business to travel unimpeded on roads. These activities benefit every taxpayer, regardless of whether they are accessing the services directly. Further, the state tax on petroleum is a fair surcharge to fund road construction. The driver of the Honda Civic pays less than the owner of a Hummer because less fuel is consumed (in this case a lot less). Granted, raising gas taxes to fund road construction when gas is $3 a gallon looks insensitive, but a toll road is an atrocious alternative.

The proposed transfer of a big chunk of west Salt Lake County to some foreign company creates the following scenario for the next half century. Every week, a young family living between I-215 and the Oquirrh Mountains will fill their minivan and pay gas taxes that benefit Utahns across the state. However, in order to access the most convenient road for their work and personal excursions — the Mountain View Corridor — it will require an additional payment from their stretched household budget. Even worse, their east side relatives will continue to enjoy a subsidized drive on I-215, I- 80, Fort Union, etc.

The major freight carriers have located their warehouses and major operations in the northwest quadrant of Salt Lake County — close to the proposed toll road. Commercial truckers will have to assume much of the toll burden because their pricing structure does not allow passing such costs on to their customers. Conversely, gas-tax and bond-payment expenses are spread across the general population and businesses (who all benefit), and the burden is lighter for industry. Toll roads have a negative impact on commerce.

Utah's leaders must have the political courage to avoid the easy, but unfair, remedy of toll roads and prove there is an exception to Groucho's maxim.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, he served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is executive director of the state Department of Administrative Services in the Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. administration. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.