Q: I have no sympathy for those who whine about a gas tax increase or higher registration fees, or think that Caltrans and others waste their tax dollars. If you want a problem fixed, you pay to fix it.

Daniel Smith, Moraga

A: We’re paying more today as the state gas tax jumped 3.2 cents to 50.5 cents a gallon. The state approved this in 2017, and it automatically boosts the gas tax in line with increases in the consumer price index.

That’s why the gas tax jumped by 12 cents a gallon in 2017 and by 5.6 cents last year.

Under a complicated tax swap, the 7.25% sales tax on gas, most of which was earmarked for transportation, was repealed. All but 2.25% of the sales tax was eliminated. Most now goes to public safety, local health and social service programs and city and county operations.

The trade-off was intended to raise about the same amount of money as the old system. Since the new gasoline tax component is based on the price of gas, it is adjusted each July in an effort to try to maintain a consistent level of funding.

Q: Our roads are built and maintained from the money we pay in gas taxes. I’m no longer voting for bills that promise to fix roadways and mass transit. Those never seem to get done.

But people driving electric cars do not use gas, so they are not paying any money to support the roads. This is not fair.

Ken Crook, San Jose

A: A $100 fee begins today for electric cars with a model year of 2020 or later. This will be followed by an annual registration fee that varies based on the market value of the vehicle. On the low end, the fees are $25 for a vehicle valued at less than $5,000, but anyone with a $60,000-plus plug-in vehicle will be paying $175 per year.

It is expected to generate $52 billion over 10 years, which will be put back into the state’s budget for infrastructure repairs.

Q: I commute from Gilroy to Santa Clara for my job in healthcare. Speeding on Highway 101 and Highway 85 has become insane. Something has to be done.

One thing I will vote for is more money to hire CHP officers. Another 2,000 CHP officers on the road for an additional 10 percent gas tax.

Michael A., Gilroy

A: The CHP is funded out of the motor vehicle account, mostly through revenue generated from cars and licenses. It takes about 78 cents out of every dollar in registration fees that drivers pay. No gas tax money goes to the CHP, but I understand wanting more CHP officers.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.