Re: “Traffic jam of ideas for I-70,” March 17 editorial.

Thank you for your editorial on the Republican plan to ease chronic congestion along Interstate 70. Our aim is simply to give motorists a real solution for their money: a wider highway and, eventually, a wider Eisenhower Tunnel, too.

The Post’s editorial board can be forgiven for confusing our toll plan with a tax. Rest assured, this is not another one of those raids on the public’s pockets masquerading as a “fee.” This is the real deal. The price of our plan to bond the roadwork using toll revenue would be paid by those who drive that stretch, no one else. It is a true user fee.

That is not to say Republicans oppose any tax hike for transportation. More taxes could even be even warranted, at times, when a broad swath of the state actually benefits. As we have told the governor, we are open to all reasonable proposals, but we insist that any current or new transportation funding be constitutionally protected by the voters so lawmakers cannot siphon it off to grow other government programs...

Read full letter: http://blogs.denverpost.com/eletters/2008/03/21/in-defense-of-republican-plan-for-i-70-traffic/