Federal Gas Tax Proposal
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Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
How does that song go: " Tax the rich to feed the poor, tell there are rich no more"
Except consumption taxes on fuel and sales tax hit the poor way worse than real estate, income, or social security.
In fact you can be dealing drugs and living in the underground economy and the only taxes you'd pay would be on consumption.
How does that song go: " Tax the rich to feed the poor, tell there are rich no more"
Except consumption taxes on fuel and sales tax hit the poor way worse than real estate, income, or social security.
In fact you can be dealing drugs and living in the underground economy and the only taxes you'd pay would be on consumption.
Also people are driving less and mpg is going up in newer vehicles. Hence using less gas and generating less revenue.
Defense Secretary claimed 10% of the defense budget goes to buy fuel for the Navy. He wanted to reduce the Navy. The Navy is too large. We came put that money into better use.
The people in New York State did a good job in preventing the Thruway Authority in raising it's tolls. Read years ago that for a million dollar construction on the Thruway it takes 1.1 million dollars to administer the construction ? They must be top heavy in well paid hacks.
Defense Secretary claimed 10% of the defense budget goes to buy fuel for the Navy. He wanted to reduce the Navy. The Navy is too large. We came put that money into better use.
The people in New York State did a good job in preventing the Thruway Authority in raising it's tolls. Read years ago that for a million dollar construction on the Thruway it takes 1.1 million dollars to administer the construction ? They must be top heavy in well paid hacks.
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Our state legislature is seriously considering an 11.5 cent increase on top of Washington State's current 37.5 cents. That alone would move us to No. 5 highest gas tax in country. And, they are going after the electric cars, too. New $100 yearly fee proposed for DWU (Driving While Untaxed). Having said that, we do not have a state income tax. Our spectacular scenery also comes with super expensive transportation "solutions": a state ferry system (ferry routes are "state highways"), floating bridges on pontoons (that can sink in windstorms) and state funded railroad short lines for the wheat farmers. And, how could I forget the state supported Amtrak Talgo trains for those that don't want to take the faster and cheaper bus service.
Between the two hits, it's gonna hurt the wallet.
Between the two hits, it's gonna hurt the wallet.
Its actually about half general fund and half gas tax now for our roads in most states. We would have to raise gas tax about 40 cents just to get rid of general funding, and our roads would continue their slow overall deterioration at that rate. Raise it to 50 cents, and there is money to steadily make up past neglect and maybe a nickel left over for buses, sidewalks and bike lanes. As a practical matter, the reduced consumption would pressure our suppliers' prices so they would effectively be contributing a couple or three cents to the cause. Maybe more.
I checked. The amount of general fund money spent on roads is almost exactly equal to the child tax credit. So double the child tax credit, raise the gas tax 50 cents, and sterilize the overall effect to the economy. The American auto industry becomes more competitive since they would then build to more international standards instead of trying to please two completely separate markets. Ma and Pa with the minivan full of kids are held harmless or helped. The overall system is rationalized.
Going to a per mile drive fee is a bad idea. Every road becomes a toll road. Then in a budget crunch, real or contrived, the cash flow is sold to a political crony in exchange for a promise to repair the roads. We eventually pay a 20% profit premium to the crony guy. You also introduce a few hundred thousand potential points of tax evasion turned back odometers and whatnot, instead of a couple of dozen with the fuel suppliers.
What about electric cars? If you think they aren't paying their fair share, take away their subsidies first. Then figure out how to fold them into the system.
P.S. With an extra nickel added to the tax, no need for CAFE. Every Humvee contributes to the cause.
I checked. The amount of general fund money spent on roads is almost exactly equal to the child tax credit. So double the child tax credit, raise the gas tax 50 cents, and sterilize the overall effect to the economy. The American auto industry becomes more competitive since they would then build to more international standards instead of trying to please two completely separate markets. Ma and Pa with the minivan full of kids are held harmless or helped. The overall system is rationalized.
Going to a per mile drive fee is a bad idea. Every road becomes a toll road. Then in a budget crunch, real or contrived, the cash flow is sold to a political crony in exchange for a promise to repair the roads. We eventually pay a 20% profit premium to the crony guy. You also introduce a few hundred thousand potential points of tax evasion turned back odometers and whatnot, instead of a couple of dozen with the fuel suppliers.
What about electric cars? If you think they aren't paying their fair share, take away their subsidies first. Then figure out how to fold them into the system.
P.S. With an extra nickel added to the tax, no need for CAFE. Every Humvee contributes to the cause.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
It's been the same 18 cents for 20 years now. As a percentage of the pump price it's pretty low compared to history.
18 cents is pretty low huh? How would you like to pay 71.9 cents per gallon?
Move out to California and you can.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_taxes_in_the_United_States
It's been the same 18 cents for 20 years now. As a percentage of the pump price it's pretty low compared to history.
18 cents is pretty low huh? How would you like to pay 71.9 cents per gallon?
Move out to California and you can.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_taxes_in_the_United_States
I don't see how it matters whether you tax by fuel, by miles, or by residence.
Unless you like traffic and hate driving, there'll be roads and somehow you'll be taxed. It's just which way you like to slice it.
Unless you like traffic and hate driving, there'll be roads and somehow you'll be taxed. It's just which way you like to slice it.
Raising taxes simply encourages the massive waste and fraud that already exists in road building and maintenance/repair. Not to mention other areas funded by the same money.
Giving them more money is the WRONG signal to send. They should do just like we do, CUT SPENDING. Yes, it's going to hurt!
Your service folks and many others use large vehicles that suck down a lot of fuel and yet are not taxed fairly. Fuel that runs the economy may be the stupidest thing you could think of to raise taxes on.
Giving them more money is the WRONG signal to send. They should do just like we do, CUT SPENDING. Yes, it's going to hurt!
Your service folks and many others use large vehicles that suck down a lot of fuel and yet are not taxed fairly. Fuel that runs the economy may be the stupidest thing you could think of to raise taxes on.
Until the incredible waste is cut out, I can't see the logic in paying another penny.
Drive anywhere and you see roads under construction for 5, 10 even 20 years. The workers are standing around, 3 supervisors for 1 guy working.
Example: George Washington Bridge in NY/NJ. The bridge toll money goes where?????? Certainly not to maintain that derelict of a bridge. The rust is so bad, the beams are now fully perforated! They just throw a coat of paint on the rust every few years and call it restoration.
It's an awful situation when those in charge can squander such monies with reckless abandon. And, never be held accountable.
Drive anywhere and you see roads under construction for 5, 10 even 20 years. The workers are standing around, 3 supervisors for 1 guy working.
Example: George Washington Bridge in NY/NJ. The bridge toll money goes where?????? Certainly not to maintain that derelict of a bridge. The rust is so bad, the beams are now fully perforated! They just throw a coat of paint on the rust every few years and call it restoration.
It's an awful situation when those in charge can squander such monies with reckless abandon. And, never be held accountable.
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Originally Posted By: nitehawk55
Another cash grab that will not be used for what it's supposed to be .
I'm born and bred in MA. I-90 tolls were originally suppose to provide highway funding and then be eradicated. Still in place with higher tolls many decades later.
Not to mention states sure have bumped up their tax percentage per gallon. NY is way up there and often times DOT borrows equipment from muni's like mine to do their work. Sick!
Another cash grab that will not be used for what it's supposed to be .
I'm born and bred in MA. I-90 tolls were originally suppose to provide highway funding and then be eradicated. Still in place with higher tolls many decades later.
Not to mention states sure have bumped up their tax percentage per gallon. NY is way up there and often times DOT borrows equipment from muni's like mine to do their work. Sick!
Its funny how people complain about something not working, then complain when they have to pay to fix it.
Originally Posted By: D189379
Its funny how people complain about something not working, then complain when they have to pay to fix it.
Indeed.
Toll bridge is NOT A TAX, it is a business that maximize profit, please make this logic clear. If you have no government involved you still need roads, probably build by private businesses, just wide and long enough to generate maximum profit, instead of maximum usage to break even.
What you'll end up with is small 2 lane toll roads everywhere, each charge you $1 every 5 miles or so, with 30% of the traffic on it, while 70% of the traffic travel by local slower speed road.
So which one is better for the society? Building a free, 4 lane highway and charge tax on it somehow (i.e. fuel, miles, property, sales, whatever you pick) and encourage more traffic on the highway instead of the local road? or toll road everywhere and even some local road are tolled?
Pick your poison.
Its funny how people complain about something not working, then complain when they have to pay to fix it.
Indeed.
Toll bridge is NOT A TAX, it is a business that maximize profit, please make this logic clear. If you have no government involved you still need roads, probably build by private businesses, just wide and long enough to generate maximum profit, instead of maximum usage to break even.
What you'll end up with is small 2 lane toll roads everywhere, each charge you $1 every 5 miles or so, with 30% of the traffic on it, while 70% of the traffic travel by local slower speed road.
So which one is better for the society? Building a free, 4 lane highway and charge tax on it somehow (i.e. fuel, miles, property, sales, whatever you pick) and encourage more traffic on the highway instead of the local road? or toll road everywhere and even some local road are tolled?
Pick your poison.
Originally Posted By: D189379
Its funny how people complain about something not working, then complain when they have to pay to fix it.
Another larger part of the argument is not wanting to give the government more money so they can waste it. We want assurances that gas tax money will toward roads, bridges and infrastructure ... not siphoned off for other projects or [censored] away in inefficiencies.
We're currently paying $4.69USG (equivalent $1.24/L) in Vancouver BC (Canada) area. But it's all relative, as I've heard of few of the folks from Australia, Germany and Norway (I think) who are paying higher still.
Its funny how people complain about something not working, then complain when they have to pay to fix it.
Another larger part of the argument is not wanting to give the government more money so they can waste it. We want assurances that gas tax money will toward roads, bridges and infrastructure ... not siphoned off for other projects or [censored] away in inefficiencies.
We're currently paying $4.69USG (equivalent $1.24/L) in Vancouver BC (Canada) area. But it's all relative, as I've heard of few of the folks from Australia, Germany and Norway (I think) who are paying higher still.
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