Gas Tax

Lowest Gas Taxes In History

USA Today does some interesting analysis of the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and comes to some startling conclusions about how historically low it is when considered with vehicle miles driven and per capita income.

July 10, 2010 - USA Today

Six States' Attempts To Increase Fuel Taxes

A new 21-page report evaluates the efforts of ID, NH, MA, MN, OR, and VT to raise state fuel taxes from 2006-2009. Why did only two succeed? This analysis looks only at how the debates were played out in print media in each of the states.

June 7, 2010 - University of Vermont Transportation Research Center

Do You Have $600 Billion For A New Transportation Bill?

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood is taped while speaking at a community meeting in Manhattan's Chinatown expressing enthusiasm for 'tolling', though it's not clear what roads or bridges would be tolled, which was clarified in a subsequent email.

May 25, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Tensions Between House & Administration Stymie Transportation Progress

Tensions have arisen between the Obama administration and Oberstar, who is anxious to get working on the transportation reauthorization bill. DOT Secretary LaHood is calling for an extension of the 2005 highway bill instead.

May 21, 2010 - Politico

Senate Climate Bill Called A Gas Tax

The American Power Act climate legislation by Senators Kerry and Lieberman, unveiled May 12, does have fees that oil refineries must pay, but is it a stretch to call the bill a disguised gas tax? Edmunds.com analyses American Solutions charge.

May 17, 2010 - Edmunds.com

Climate/Energy Gas Tax Nixed

Despite many reports to the contrary, the developing climate legislation by Senators Graham, Lieberman, and Kerry to be unveiled April 26 will not include a fuel fee, reports The Hill. And don't blame the oil industry - they supported the gas tax.

April 19, 2010 - The Hill - On the Money

Climate Measure Would Raise Gas Tax But Not Fund Transportation

A new senate climate measure is proposing to raise the gas tax, a move many in the transportation field have been suggesting for years. But the measure is meeting criticism for not directing the increased revenue towards transportation projects.

April 8, 2010 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Regional Taxes For Transportation?

The NYT looks at a provision in a state assembly bill to restore transit funding to beleaguered CA transit agencies by allowing voters in regions to approve gas fees. Not only was the provision dropped by the Senate - the governor vetoed the bill.

March 22, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

Schwarzenegger's Budget Fix: Reduce Gas Tax & Cut Transit

As incredible as it sounds, it's true. CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's scheme is to convert the sales tax on gas to an excise tax partly to circumvent a June court ruling that he had illegally diverted public transit funds to balance the state budget

January 13, 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

Vaporizing the Gas Tax Myth

January 6, 2010 - Jack Finn

Texas to Study Per-Mile Gas Tax

Transportation officials in Texas are recommending a fresh look at the prospect of taxing the state's drivers by the mile.

January 6, 2010 - The Houston Chronicle

Feds Discuss Gas Tax Increase While Nixed In Jersey

Discussion of raising the gas tax is quashed in NJ by Gov.-elect Christie while encouraged in DC by DOT Secretary LaHood and Congressional Transportation Chair James Oberstar. LaHood had an open dialog on the various forms of revenue strategies.

December 3, 2009 - NorthJersey.com

CAFE Or Gas Tax? How Best To Increase Fuel Efficiency.

The current government strategy to increase fuel efficiency is to mandate it through increases in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, currently set for 35.5 mpg by 2016. In this piece, auto executives suggest a better way - using gas taxes.

November 9, 2009 - Automobile

Poltical Courage & Raising The Gas Tax

Another column by New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman on the need to raise the gas tax - in this one, he compares the U.S. to Europe and concludes that the former are 'wimps' for not having the courage to raise gas or carbon taxes.

September 27, 2009 - The New York Times - Opinion

Why Public Transit Doesn't Work In The U.S.

Gas taxes, parking charges, toll roads - these are the ingredients to making transit successful, according to experts who state that it's not enough to offer good transit - driving must become more expensive. Add to that high density land use.

August 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Transportation Reauthorization Battles Ahead - Funding & Revenue Split

The transportation reauthorization bill will be hotly debated this fall on at least two fronts - finding a sustainable funding source and apportioning the revenues. The 18.4 cent gas tax, its funding source, declined 33% due to inflation since 1993.

June 8, 2009 - The New York Times - U.S.

Highway Trust Fund - Near Broke, Again

Back in September, we reported that the trust fund had to receive an $8 billion bailout. Reuters reports that a second bailout is required to prevent the fund from going broke by August. Sen. Boxer indicates she supports indexing the gas tax.

June 4, 2009 - Reuters

Increase Funding or Raise Taxes?

Transit advocates may be louder than highway backers for the first time in discussions about the next authorization bill, but highway supporters warn less highway funding means less gasoline taxes.

June 3, 2009 - Congressional Quarterly Today

Idea to Tax Drivers By the Mile Gathers Support in Washington

Washington's top transportation official has indicated support for the idea of beefing up transportation funds by taxing drivers by the mile.

May 14, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

10-Cent Gas Tax Needed for Dallas-Fort Worth Transit

It would take at least an additional 10-cent tax on gasoline to fund transit and transportation projects in metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth, according to city officials who want to ask voters to allow the increases.

May 9, 2009 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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