Comments on: A Solution: Raise the &%#$ing Gas Tax Already http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/ America Under Construction Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:16:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Caruso http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-7937 Caruso Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:54:13 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-7937 You're absolutely right, but think much bigger. 36cent tax is still very little. To make real "change" happen, we must significantly increase the price of gasoline, to levels along the lines of Europe. That is: gasoline should cost at least $6-10 per gallon. "Real Men Tax Gas" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20friedman.html?hp You’re absolutely right, but think much bigger. 36cent tax is still very little. To make real “change” happen, we must significantly increase the price of gasoline, to levels along the lines of Europe.

That is: gasoline should cost at least $6-10 per gallon.

“Real Men Tax Gas”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20friedman.html?hp

]]> By: Rebel Congressmen Fight The Good Fight By Slagging Larry Summers » INFRASTRUCTURIST http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-4484 Rebel Congressmen Fight The Good Fight By Slagging Larry Summers » INFRASTRUCTURIST Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:30:18 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-4484 [...] In brief, the dust-up concerns their effort to get a new six-year transportation bill passed this year, establishing much-needed policy reforms and boosting spending on transportation infrastucture (which pretty everyone agrees is necessary.) They are doing it in the face of the administration’s plan to stick with the old crappy bill for at least 18 more months and total passivity from the Senate, aggressively making the sensible argument that at a precarious economic moment delaying the bill will depress public investment. Of course, now time is precisely the time this sort of spending should be expanded in order to create lots of jobs–not to mention moving us toward a more sensible transportation policy at a time when climate and energy concerns are looking dire. Sure, there are questions about how to pay for it–but there always are and solving that problem simply involves sacking up and settling on a way to pay for it. [...] [...] In brief, the dust-up concerns their effort to get a new six-year transportation bill passed this year, establishing much-needed policy reforms and boosting spending on transportation infrastucture (which pretty everyone agrees is necessary.) They are doing it in the face of the administration’s plan to stick with the old crappy bill for at least 18 more months and total passivity from the Senate, aggressively making the sensible argument that at a precarious economic moment delaying the bill will depress public investment. Of course, now time is precisely the time this sort of spending should be expanded in order to create lots of jobs–not to mention moving us toward a more sensible transportation policy at a time when climate and energy concerns are looking dire. Sure, there are questions about how to pay for it–but there always are and solving that problem simply involves sacking up and settling on a way to pay for it. [...]

]]> By: mobitronia http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-4184 mobitronia Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:28:51 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-4184 Instead of increasing the present gasoline tax, substitute a new road use tax by implementing a method that uses a bar code on the vehicle that reflects the EPA miles per gallon rating for that vehicle. Instead of increasing the present gasoline tax, substitute a new road use tax by implementing a method that uses a bar code on the vehicle that reflects the EPA miles per gallon rating for that vehicle.

]]> By: Oz http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3340 Oz Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:23:38 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3340 I don't know why this is so difficult for people to understand- the last time the gas tax was raised was in 1993, the Democratic majority did it, and less than a year later they were no longer the majority. Any politician who seriously pushes an increase in motor fuels tax (including diesel, frowned upon by the trucking industry) (including aviation fuel, whew, alreadly belly-up there) is looked upon as committing political suicide. Americans pay by far the lowest motoring taxes and fees in the world, and as soon as somebody tries to get them to pay for more than 40% of what they want, they start crying until the noise gets swept under the rug. Key issues which must be addressed soon regarding Highway Trust Fund vs. Insolvency include people driving less (albeit temporarily, last year) and people driving slightly more efficient cars compared with the latter part of the 1990s. The fund has lost over a third of its purchasing power as inflation and new regulations take effect (mostly inflation, since 1993 around 12% in general, approaching 50% for the major highway building materials, steel, concrete and asphalt) so your gas tax dollar is worth about 58 cents compared to the early nineties. By now, the people who were willing to make such painful changes in where they drive, if they drive, what they drive, and where they drive have already done it. The holdouts are either stuck where they are and driving more efficiently over the same great distances or too arrogant to do anything about it, and they're keeping the V8 Durango and driving it at full throttle as often as possible with engine computer changes to disable their emission controls. People who accuse Secretary LaHood of being a "social engineer" are probably members of the arrogant group. If I recall correctly, American voters voiced a slim majority advocating a change in course last fall. That's what they're getting. I just think it is unfortunate that such a talented, educated leadership team as the one that exists now will probably be squandered, merely trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of the transportation system instead of doing what they want to do. The opposition, which had governed through raw idealism by default for the past eight years, is now complaining that things are getting prioritized by cost-benefit ratios. Now that the idealism (all highways, the rest are for people we don't care about) has faded to reason (modal parity as a goal, just seeing some sort of money for starters sure is nice) it's going to take a few years to recover. Raise the gas tax, give them a stretch of at least five years to plug all the holes, and take off the blinders to realize there is another way to get there, and it might even make sense! I don’t know why this is so difficult for people to understand- the last time the gas tax was raised was in 1993, the Democratic majority did it, and less than a year later they were no longer the majority. Any politician who seriously pushes an increase in motor fuels tax (including diesel, frowned upon by the trucking industry) (including aviation fuel, whew, alreadly belly-up there) is looked upon as committing political suicide. Americans pay by far the lowest motoring taxes and fees in the world, and as soon as somebody tries to get them to pay for more than 40% of what they want, they start crying until the noise gets swept under the rug.

Key issues which must be addressed soon regarding Highway Trust Fund vs. Insolvency include people driving less (albeit temporarily, last year) and people driving slightly more efficient cars compared with the latter part of the 1990s. The fund has lost over a third of its purchasing power as inflation and new regulations take effect (mostly inflation, since 1993 around 12% in general, approaching 50% for the major highway building materials, steel, concrete and asphalt) so your gas tax dollar is worth about 58 cents compared to the early nineties.

By now, the people who were willing to make such painful changes in where they drive, if they drive, what they drive, and where they drive have already done it. The holdouts are either stuck where they are and driving more efficiently over the same great distances or too arrogant to do anything about it, and they’re keeping the V8 Durango and driving it at full throttle as often as possible with engine computer changes to disable their emission controls.

People who accuse Secretary LaHood of being a “social engineer” are probably members of the arrogant group. If I recall correctly, American voters voiced a slim majority advocating a change in course last fall. That’s what they’re getting. I just think it is unfortunate that such a talented, educated leadership team as the one that exists now will probably be squandered, merely trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of the transportation system instead of doing what they want to do. The opposition, which had governed through raw idealism by default for the past eight years, is now complaining that things are getting prioritized by cost-benefit ratios. Now that the idealism (all highways, the rest are for people we don’t care about) has faded to reason (modal parity as a goal, just seeing some sort of money for starters sure is nice) it’s going to take a few years to recover.

Raise the gas tax, give them a stretch of at least five years to plug all the holes, and take off the blinders to realize there is another way to get there, and it might even make sense!

]]> By: Blake http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3182 Blake Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:03:38 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3182 I agree with all above, but also believe it's worth reiterating why the gas tax is a common sense tax. In general, the most economically efficient and fair way to pay for most services is through usage fees. Since roadway use is roughly proportional to gas use, a gas tax is a decent proxy for highway use. In reality, heavy gas users typically pull more weight, and since axle load is geometrically related to pavement wear and failure, a gas tax favors commercial carriers: buses and logistics trucks. Many would argue this is a reasonable subsidy that benefits everyone, but weigh-in stations make up this inequality in the US (other countries are content just the gas tax). Another advantage of the gas tax is that it's incredibly easy and lowcost to administer, which tolls and VMT meter schemes are not (though slowly getting there). Also, by increasing the cost of driving, a gas tax relieves congestion, improves air quality, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Collecting excess revenue from the gas tax can be reappropriated to alternate transport modes to improve mobility for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups by investing in inter and intra-city bus and rail. The best infrastructure projects earn a great return on investment (realized generally as public goods through a robust supply chain that fuels trade and mobility). The new transportation bill should include reforms to promote accountability, transparency, and performance in transportation investments and especially focus on multimodal infrastructure for regional solutions. Let's move forward with less congestion, a better freight network, and more smart infrastructure. Raise the gas tax, and let's all get back to getting rich together! I agree with all above, but also believe it’s worth reiterating why the gas tax is a common sense tax. In general, the most economically efficient and fair way to pay for most services is through usage fees. Since roadway use is roughly proportional to gas use, a gas tax is a decent proxy for highway use. In reality, heavy gas users typically pull more weight, and since axle load is geometrically related to pavement wear and failure, a gas tax favors commercial carriers: buses and logistics trucks. Many would argue this is a reasonable subsidy that benefits everyone, but weigh-in stations make up this inequality in the US (other countries are content just the gas tax). Another advantage of the gas tax is that it’s incredibly easy and lowcost to administer, which tolls and VMT meter schemes are not (though slowly getting there). Also, by increasing the cost of driving, a gas tax relieves congestion, improves air quality, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Collecting excess revenue from the gas tax can be reappropriated to alternate transport modes to improve mobility for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups by investing in inter and intra-city bus and rail. The best infrastructure projects earn a great return on investment (realized generally as public goods through a robust supply chain that fuels trade and mobility). The new transportation bill should include reforms to promote accountability, transparency, and performance in transportation investments and especially focus on multimodal infrastructure for regional solutions. Let’s move forward with less congestion, a better freight network, and more smart infrastructure. Raise the gas tax, and let’s all get back to getting rich together!

]]> By: adam http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3133 adam Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:35:38 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3133 There should be a gasoline price *floor* at ~$4.00 at the pump. If it's naturally lower, then that tax goes to funds. There should be a gasoline price *floor* at ~$4.00 at the pump. If it’s naturally lower, then that tax goes to funds.

]]> By: Ken http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3043 Ken Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:45:12 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3043 Your link is to a .com as opposed to a .org. It's okay, just click my name ;) Your link is to a .com as opposed to a .org. It’s okay, just click my name ;)

]]> By: admin http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3033 admin Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:32:53 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3033 Thanks for pointing that out, Ken. Some readers might know <a href="http://investininfrastructure.org" rel="nofollow">Building America's Future</a> as the group that brings together Gov Rendell, Mayor Bloomberg, and Gov Schwarzenegger in the interest of leading the fight for infrastructure investment in this country. Needless to say, the organization has been doing stellar work. Jeb Thanks for pointing that out, Ken.

Some readers might know Building America’s Future as the group that brings together Gov Rendell, Mayor Bloomberg, and Gov Schwarzenegger in the interest of leading the fight for infrastructure investment in this country. Needless to say, the organization has been doing stellar work.

Jeb

]]> By: Ken http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3027 Ken Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:43:24 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3027 You know what's really funny? TransportGooru's idea of showing the poll to the President already happened. My organization commissioned the Luntz poll in December, and we met with President Obama in March. Don't worry, TransportGooru, we've been flaunting that 81 percent everywhere we go! Just a note, however. Increasing income taxes by 1 percent to pay for infrastructure is not an actual policy proposal by my organization, it's just a metric we used to gauge Americans' willingness to pay for infrastructure. You know what’s really funny? TransportGooru’s idea of showing the poll to the President already happened. My organization commissioned the Luntz poll in December, and we met with President Obama in March.

Don’t worry, TransportGooru, we’ve been flaunting that 81 percent everywhere we go! Just a note, however. Increasing income taxes by 1 percent to pay for infrastructure is not an actual policy proposal by my organization, it’s just a metric we used to gauge Americans’ willingness to pay for infrastructure.

]]> By: George http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3024 George Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:43:11 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3024 Typically, I am against any increase in taxes, but either a gas tax hike or more toll roads is necessary and reasonable. The beauty of these exchanges over other taxes is that they are elective fees: those who use the roads pay for the roads. More tolling would allow this targeting to be even more precise. There is a good bit of angst here in PA over the Fed not allowing us to put tolls on Rt 80. Typically, I am against any increase in taxes, but either a gas tax hike or more toll roads is necessary and reasonable. The beauty of these exchanges over other taxes is that they are elective fees: those who use the roads pay for the roads. More tolling would allow this targeting to be even more precise. There is a good bit of angst here in PA over the Fed not allowing us to put tolls on Rt 80.

]]> By: Davsot http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3013 Davsot Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:32:00 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3013 You have convinced me we need gas tax now!!! You have convinced me we need gas tax now!!!

]]> By: admin http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3012 admin Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:18:46 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3012 Oops - that was an important one. Link is fixed. Jeb Oops - that was an important one. Link is fixed.

Jeb

]]> By: Aaron B. http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-3008 Aaron B. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:31:27 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-3008 Dead link: The last link to the poll leads to the story about Obama and the fly. Please fix it, as I want to see the story about the poll! Dead link: The last link to the poll leads to the story about Obama and the fly. Please fix it, as I want to see the story about the poll!

]]> By: Derek Young http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-2991 Derek Young Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:05:44 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-2991 I've heard the plan is to raise the gas tax (not enough) and to raise a bunch of other transportation fees but that they want to wait for the health care rollout since that will also likely include a tax. I’ve heard the plan is to raise the gas tax (not enough) and to raise a bunch of other transportation fees but that they want to wait for the health care rollout since that will also likely include a tax.

]]> By: Galls http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-2990 Galls Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:11:30 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-2990 I do not know if raising the gas tax by %100 would be enough. http://www.txdot.gov/KeepTexasMovingNewsletter/11202006.html#Cost I do not know if raising the gas tax by %100 would be enough.

http://www.txdot.gov/KeepTexasMovingNewsletter/11202006.html#Cost

]]> By: Wassy http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-2988 Wassy Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:44:39 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-2988 So needs to said! So needs to said!

]]> By: TransportGooru http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/06/19/a-solution-to-transporation-bill-standoff-just-raise-the-ing-gas-tax-already/comment-page-1/#comment-2987 TransportGooru Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:25:54 +0000 http://www.infrastructurist.com/?p=3444#comment-2987 Amen, brother. I wish someone took the last paragraph of your article above and shared it with the President. That's probably the way this thing can happen. Amen, brother. I wish someone took the last paragraph of your article above and shared it with the President. That’s probably the way this thing can happen.

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