Fiscal conservatives and Colorado's middle class are poorly served once again by State Representative Bill Berens (R-Broomfield). Last week, Berens suggested doubling the tax the state collects on every gallon of gasoline as a way to pay for road maintenance in Colorado.

As working Coloradoans struggle with gas prices already over $3.00 per gallon, his suggestion is not just out of touch with reality, it would be devastating to the overstretched budgets of Colorado families.

In the July 28 edition of the Longmont Daily Times-Call, Berens bemoaned how unlikely it is that the Democratic controlled state legislature would pass a 27 cents a gallon increase in the state gas tax. Berens is right in calling attention to the dire state of road repair in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Transportation is far behind in maintenance projects. However, no other legislator, Republican or Democrat, has even suggested that a massive tax increase is the answer.

Berens does not even discuss finding more efficient means of transportation or more creative ways of financing road maintenance. "Bill Berens is out of ideas and out of touch with the reality of his constituents," said Greg Rathmell, Chair of the Broomfield County Democrats. "The problems facing Colorado and House District 33, which Berens represents, require a fresh approach. He has repeatedly shown that after 19 years as a politician he is not the representative to move Colorado into the future with realistic solutions. "