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Author	Topic: Gasoline Taxes and Tolls Pay for only a Third of Road Spending	Post a Reply Back to Topics

wmderrick All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:665 Points:498,325 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:03:00 AM Ignore wmderrick Report Abuse A key issue for many state legislatures this year is transportation funding, says Joseph Henchman of the Tax Foundation. The lion's share of transportation funding should come from user taxes and fees, such as tolls, gasoline taxes and other user-related charges. When road funding comes from a mix of tolls and gas taxes, the people that use the roads benefit from them and should bear a sizeable portion of the cost. By contrast, funding transportation out of general revenue makes roads "free," and consequently, overused or congested -- often the precise problem transportation spending programs are meant to solve. •Nationwide in 2010, state and local governments raised $37 billion in motor fuel taxes and $12 billion in tolls and non-fuel taxes, but spent $155 billion on highways. •In Visit National Center for Policy Analysis for full article

wmderrick

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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:03:00 AM

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A key issue for many state legislatures this year is transportation funding, says Joseph Henchman of the Tax Foundation.

The lion's share of transportation funding should come from user taxes and fees, such as tolls, gasoline taxes and other user-related charges. When road funding comes from a mix of tolls and gas taxes, the people that use the roads benefit from them and should bear a sizeable portion of the cost. By contrast, funding transportation out of general revenue makes roads "free," and consequently, overused or congested -- often the precise problem transportation spending programs are meant to solve.

•Nationwide in 2010, state and local governments raised $37 billion in motor fuel taxes and $12 billion in tolls and non-fuel taxes, but spent $155 billion on highways.
•In
Visit National Center for Policy Analysis for full article

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NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,750 Points:1,167,995 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 11:48:31 PM Ignore NedW Report Abuse Thank you for submitting this article, wmderrick.
jeskibuff Champion Author Tampa Posts:8,039 Points:1,475,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 7:28:08 PM Ignore jeskibuff Report Abuse SUNOIL said: "Maybe we need to take a look at why road repair costs are so high and try to make some changes." It's astounding to drive past projects that seem to take years to complete. I haven't driven it in years, but I-75 from Florida to central Georgia had miles and miles of road barrels blocking off lanes for the LONGEST time. First, why limit travel lanes for miles when road crews are working on only a small stretch at one time? Then when they do work on it, it takes months and months to complete. In contrast, this last year sections of I-4 were paved quickly and nicely from Tampa to Lakeland. That was a nice switch!
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,955 Points:669,240 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 5:23:00 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse No wonder most roads are in such sad shape.
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,863 Points:1,666,010 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 5:56:56 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse Sounds like bad money management.How many states use road money for other emergencies????
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,625 Points:1,584,250 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 1:05:58 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I wonder where the rest comes from?
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,736 Points:461,605 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 12:56:11 AM Ignore leeac Report Abuse Bigger and heavier cars and trucks should pay more for roads.
esq262 Champion Author Asheville Posts:2,998 Points:673,665 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 10:43:55 PM Ignore esq262 Report Abuse Here in NC the government needs to stop robbing our roads fund for general spending.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,197 Points:820,405 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 10:08:04 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse From the article: "Expanding tolls and indexing gasoline taxes for inflation may not be politically popular, even though transportation facilities and services are highly popular. Given that transportation spending exists, states should aim to fund as much of it as possible from user-related taxes and fees. Subsidizing highway spending from general revenues creates pressure to increase income or sales taxes, which can be unfair to non-users and undermine economic growth for the state as a whole." ============================================================== Yeah, indexing gasoline taxes for inflation would be the solution. The FED robs US by running the printing presses (Dollar devaluation via counterfeiting), so the state needs to be a part of that action by making sure that THEY are not short changed. It's one thing to allow the citizens of each state to become victims of Federal theft, but don't let the FED steal from the state coffers!
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,570 Points:941,325 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:33:44 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse If they would use all the taxes that are collected only for the roads instead of other projects they would not need as much from other sources.
wz Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,620 Points:1,304,710 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 6:16:13 PM Ignore wz Report Abuse Tolls and fuel taxes should not be subsidizing public transportation. Those systems get the bulk of their funding from transportation departments. A better model should have them priced to break even.
race2IT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,790 Points:738,400 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 6:14:32 PM Ignore race2IT Report Abuse What does the other two-third pay of the gasoline taxes and tolls pay for?
skempton Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,275 Points:864,160 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 5:36:42 PM Ignore skempton Report Abuse In VT, they suck revenue out of the transportation taxes to fund social programs.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,209 Points:1,475,050 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 5:25:12 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse We live at a time when too many people wants to get rid of all taxes to get everything free. At some point, if we want our roads and highways and other infrastructure, they must realize the money must come from somewhere.
lippoe_sokan All-Star Author Provo Posts:743 Points:208,450 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 4:56:02 PM Ignore lippoe_sokan Report Abuse IF we could be sure the numbers are accurate, and IF we could be sure we're using the current money wisely, it is reasonable to assume that we should raise fees -- taxes, fees, tolls, etc. -- associated with travel. Otherwise, it's just one more money-losing government subsidy. BUT, I'm not sure we can always trust the numbers AND I'd like to be convinced that we use the money we have wisely.
Pramodsharma Champion Author Richmond Posts:2,099 Points:412,165 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 4:16:51 PM Ignore Pramodsharma Report Abuse Cut spending, and prepare good roads by using cement not tar.
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,374 Points:1,010,180 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 3:53:30 PM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Just stay home.
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,685 Points:1,813,925 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 3:50:12 PM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse bwatchingu is exactly right. The government is always looking for more money to waste.
tnfran Champion Author Arizona Posts:4,513 Points:868,165 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 2:38:00 PM Ignore tnfran Report Abuse To YumaFellow, you have no idea how Much in taxes the trucking industry pays, much more than you think, and way more than 4 wheelers % do.
ObieDog Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,051 Points:876,370 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 2:28:24 PM Ignore ObieDog Report Abuse Sadly, it is probably time for an increase.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,329 Points:2,399,070 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 2:11:27 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse the "general fund" created this mess
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:5,394 Points:1,047,460 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 2:04:41 PM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse So what?
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:5,394 Points:1,047,460 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 2:03:46 PM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse excellent points,
mastermariner Champion Author Texas Posts:4,835 Points:521,425 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 1:42:43 PM Ignore mastermariner Report Abuse Increase the tax on gas.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,343 Points:1,325,920 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 1:17:06 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse They pave our road every few years whether it needs it or not
YumaFellow Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,426 Points:649,320 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 1:08:35 PM Ignore YumaFellow Report Abuse The right-wing, small government group always makes the same pitch--the people who use roads should pay for them. They will not raise taxes, they will just toll people to death. And at the same time, not charge the trucking industry for the monumental wear and tear it causes on our highways and interstates. And this sort of pitch does not account for the extent to which business development and growth depends on good highways and transportation systems.
Wally3023 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,116 Points:557,825 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 1:05:15 PM Ignore Wally3023 Report Abuse Pony up
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,859 Points:627,925 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 1:03:07 PM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse Government always wants more money to waste.
MrDeath666 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,765 Points:271,140 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 12:52:44 PM Ignore MrDeath666 Report Abuse So what? We all pay taxes & we all use roads.
SUNOIL Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,380 Points:1,951,980 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 12:39:59 PM Ignore SUNOIL Report Abuse Maybe we need to take a look at why road repair costs are so high and try to make some changes.
fullcirclethink Champion Author Washington Posts:2,009 Points:159,810 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 12:16:12 PM Ignore fullcirclethink Report Abuse This is what happens when government gets involved. First, they mandate higher fuel efficiency and then wonder why their fuel tax revenue goes down! Always getting the cart before the horse. The really scary part here? The same government that legislated CAFE standards is now in charge of fixing the problem! Fox in charge of the hen house once again?
Taxrefugee Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,535 Points:413,495 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:44:24 AM Ignore Taxrefugee Report Abuse Gas tax proceeds have dropped so low here that our City enacted a special sales tax 12 years ago dedicated to roads and streets. Moth the initial tax and a 15-year extension in 2009 were passed overwhelmingly by the voters.
JagXKR Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,293 Points:1,118,215 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:38:32 AM Ignore JagXKR Report Abuse Everyone benefits from roads. How do you think all the goods you purchase get to the stores?
bsnort Veteran Author Huntsville Posts:465 Points:250,700 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:35:27 AM Ignore bsnort Report Abuse @ OTISFL & mitt4prez - excellent points, would like to see the answers! always frustrating to drive through a construction area and see four supervisors standing around supervising one guy with a shovel.
gcalleja Champion Author Miami Posts:1,049 Points:577,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:34:56 AM Ignore gcalleja Report Abuse To be fair, sales taxes from commerce facilitated by roads should be calculated.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,209 Points:1,769,535 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:33:35 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse Tax tires $20
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,745 Points:892,540 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:33:09 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse Break it down so we know WHERE the $$$$'s are spent.
wrunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,582 Points:1,164,060 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:30:09 AM Ignore wrunner Report Abuse That is a very big difference in revenue and spending. I wonder how much of it is paid for road maintainers and how much is actually paid to build or fix roads.
greatartiste All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:540 Points:105,810 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:17:53 AM Ignore greatartiste Report Abuse time to figure out a new and equitable way to pay for this....
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,883 Points:1,272,925 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 11:12:24 AM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse Take out overhead, and what percentage of road spending is paid for by taxes/tolls?