Sound Off for Feb. 22

Get out of the marina business

Long Beach should get out of the marina business and lease the marina to a private company. The city will get a check every month with nothing out of pocket. The reason we have no private marinas is that private marinas cannot compete with local cities. At least Biloxi is finally catching on and considering getting out of pier business by letting someone build one at Veterans Avenue. Look at Gulf Shores — it has no city marinas and is thriving.

Say no to the toll

There are currently no tolls anywhere in Mississippi, as our bridges and highways are paid for with state and federal taxes. Why is a Popp’s Ferry toll bridge even being discussed with all the gasoline taxes and high license plate taxes, along with all the money generated with tourism and the casinos?

State income tax

Eliminating the inefficient state tax will improve revenue if you shift to merchandise and property taxes. The more you have and the more you spend, the more the state coffers will benefit. It will capture income hidden from the state income tax.

Why pay for the bridge?

Why should we have to pay a toll for a new Popp’s Ferry bridge? President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure act was passed and money is being distributed to all states to repair or replace bridges and roads.

Submit your Sound Offs for consideration to soundoff@sunherald.com.