Skip to main content

Today's Poll: What should happen with the federal gas tax?

By Howard B. Owens
Charlie Mallow

I think how you answer this question has a lot to do with where you live and how far that is to work. The gas tax has less effect on people who live in larger cities. I personally think our roads are in bad shape and we need to figure out how we pay to maintain them but talking about a higher gas tax is easy for a guy with a 5-minute drive to work. It’s also pretty hard for people to realize that every penny of increase gets passed on in higher costs for goods and services.

Aug 16, 2011, 9:43am Permalink
Phil Ricci

I agree with that. I don't live close to my work and am on the road constantly. I also was given the formula behind how gas prices are determined by one of my customers. The Federal, State and Local taxe lieterally add just shy of a dollar to the total costs. It's obscene.

The bigger problem is that these taxes don't even pay for the actual cost of building and maintaining roads or bridges, In many cases the disparity ratio from income to cost is 16-25 to the negative. If they actually raised the rate to "cover" the costs, we would be paying upwards of $7 per gallon in the current pricing.

No thanks.

IMHO, the real gangsters on this one is oil and the morons in Washington who keep giving them subsidies.

Aug 16, 2011, 10:04am Permalink
bud prevost

The need to finance rebuilding our roads is real. I say continue the tax, with the stipulation that it is used for infrastructure improvements only. Also, some sort of accountability would be nice.

Aug 16, 2011, 10:20am Permalink
Ted Wenzka

I agree with post #4 that rebuilding our roads is real. The thing is I don't trust our politicians to use the money for what it is intended. The tax money goes into the General Fund where it is used for God only knows what. Then they come back to us crying they need more money for rebuilding roads, etc. I don't know what it is with politicians but when they are elected they profess the right things but when they get to Albany/Washington all the good stuff goes out the window and they become one of the good ole boys.

Aug 16, 2011, 11:19am Permalink
Mark Potwora

I feel if we have to pay fuel tax to drive then why doesn't those that ride mass transit pay a tax also to pay for the cost of that system..either charge all for what they use, roads and transit systems..Bus and trains..Or don't tax at all and let it all come out of the general revenue fund..There are many taxes and fees that drivers of cars and trucks pay for use of the high way system..
What taxes and fees to those who ride the public bus system..
....Also since Obama is so big on the electric cars..such as the volt....how do you tax that car for ...Its driven on the roads and pays no taxes on its energy usage for highway infrastructure.....

Aug 17, 2011, 9:56am Permalink

Authentically Local