This is true, yet it seems there is an economic recking. It just isn't this straightforward. Tax money does pay for it, but taxes are created by people who get

This is true, yet it seems there is an economic recking. It just isn't this straightforward. Tax money does pay for it, but taxes are created by people who get in that position by being popular with the people they're taxing. It's in their best interest to keep taxes as low as possible. This can create races to the bottom where we are, as you say, running at a deficit just to keep the lights on. The people running the budget have been kicking this can down the road (no pun intended) for a while. Simply put, our taxes are paying for it, but they're underfunded for the level of planning and improvement needed. Congestion is a failure to scale. Something to think about as Tax Day approaches...especially if you think your taxes are too high.