How to make RICo more competitive with Iowa

CAROL BAY had this letter published in the July 24 Dispatch/Argus. The gasoline prices cited were accurate at the time the letter was written. ..... denotes paragraph breaks. "During a drive around northern Illinois w were surprised, and pleased, to find gasoline at $2.53 per gallon at LaSalle on July 13. We were even more delighted to find gas at $2.47 per gallon in Freeport on July 15. We immediately pondered how the state of Illinois would collect more motor fuel and sales taxes if those gasoline prices existed throughout Illinois; the added revenue would do much to help our state's budget woes. Now we are back to Rock Island County and reality. Most Rock Island County gas stations have gas at $2.79 per gallon and are usually pretty empty. Most Davenport gas stations have gas for $2.55 or less. They usually are crowded, and many cars have Illinois license plates. These Illinois motorists are paying Iowa motor fuel and sales taxes and not Illinois. Many also shop and dine while in Davenport adding to the Iowa tax revenue. ...... If Rock Island County had gasoline at $2.47 per gallon, Illinois would gain additional tax revenue and Illinois retailers would benefit. Iowa motorists would be fueling up in Illinois and our Illinois retailers would again be competitive. ..... How is it that some areas in Illinois, far away from a competing state, can have such low gasoline prices while Rock Island County with five bridges leading to lower prices have such high gasoline prices? We would greatly prefer helping Illinois retailers and paying Illinois taxes, but Illinois must first become competitive. Above all, don't raise Illinois gasoline and sales taxes."