The administration seems to be aware of the need to prepare the public for what would likely be a controversial change to the way highway funds are collected. For example, the office is called on to serve a public-relations function, as the draft says it should "increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible approaches."
The draft bill says the "study framework" for the project and a public awareness communications plan should be established within two years of creating the office, and that field tests should begin within four years.
So they feel the need to raise money for highway maintenance and building by taxing us on how much we use the highways. Actually, they apparently want to tax some of us, since the tax will be calculated by a device that keeps track of where you go, and will be payable when you buy more gas. So some highway users, such as vehicles that don't run on gas, but use the highways, such as electric powered or solar powered or hydrogen powered or leg powered vehicles, will apparently not pay the tax, since they never buy gas. And of course the person who cruises in airconditioned comfort in a gas hog will pay the same tax as someone who chooses a smaller, less powerful, less comfortable, but more green car. Another tax break for the rich. This is such a goofy idea (on which they are spending millions to study) that I think it has a good chance of coming to pass.
A simpler way to solve the problem is to put a very high tax on gas. That will encourage us to buy smaller, more efficient cars, which would reduce wear and tear on the roads.
But the best solution would be to get the federal government out of the highway business and let local authorities handle it. Its foolish to send billions of dollars to Washington, so they can return a few million to us.
Society in every state is a blessing, but the Government even in its best state is but a necessary evil...
it took federal power and federal money to build the highways. this idea to make it a local enterprise is new.
tales of turnpikes "privatized" tend to yield tales of their quality diminishing rapidly.
in the late 1800s, Republicans ran on platforms of paying for bridges with taxes instead of tolls.
the state routes I have seen are not very robust. 42. 252. 14.
a tire tax would also make sense. for funding highways.
in an ideal nation, cars should be designed to not go more than 45 miles per hour. it is a nice cruising speed. no need to be able to accelerate to it in less than 20 seconds. long as it can get up a hill. that is more of a transmission and gearing issue. it is a realistic notion for defeating oil addiction. but the main addiction is thrill seeking acceleration and big box retail.
ryan costa wrote:last i heard, federal taxes on gasoline have not been raised in years. and it is taxed by the volume, not the price.
I thought the fuel tax was not suppose to be permanent?? $.18 cents per gallon.. The Federal Gaoline tax raises about $25 Billion a year in tax revenue ( if I rememember correctly).. Is there also not a county and state tax on each gallon of gasoline sold ? What happens to driver license and license plate revenue? How about IFTA?
