Article

2015-01-19 Government

Prices at the gas pump are low, but raising fuel taxes still feels perilous to Congress

[FOXBUSINESS] The new Republican-controlled Congress is facing an old problem: where to find the money for highway and transit programs.

With gasoline prices at their lowest in years, there had been talk that when the new Congress convened it might be time to raise federal gas and diesel taxes. They haven't budged in more than 20 years.

But already, GOP leaders are tamping down expectations for an increase.

The No. 2 Republican in the Senate, John Cornyn of Texas, says he doesn't know of any support in Congress for a gas tax increase.

Another Republican leader, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, had previously said that all possible funding options should be considered, including a gas tax increase. But he now says that such a possibility is unlikely.

Posted by Fred 2015-01-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11140 views ] Top

#1 If you make it proportional, BY LAW, then it'll rise and fall with the price, (But no, then there wont be as much theft. HAH.)

Posted by Redneck Jim 2015-01-19 01:58|| 2015-01-19 01:58|| Front Page Top

#2 Not that logic has anything to do with it where gov't is involved, but logic says cheaper petrol encourages increased driving and increased purchasing.... which means GREATER TAX receipts. Not to mention the tax receipts from money spend on consumer goods and services saved on less expensive petrol.

Posted by Besoeker 2015-01-19 08:41|| 2015-01-19 08:41|| Front Page Top

#3 where to find the money for highway and transit programs.

How about in the federal (and state) taxes already levied on gasoline that were 'justified' for that very purpose, you thieving SOBs?

Posted by Procopius2k 2015-01-19 09:18|| 2015-01-19 09:18|| Front Page Top

#4 It should feel perilous. The citizens are getting tired of being fleeced by your kind.

Cut something and take its budget for the highways. Raise taxes at your peril.

Posted by DarthVader 2015-01-19 10:33|| 2015-01-19 10:33|| Front Page Top

#5 Simple problem: move all funds from ineffective / local (Amtrack, light rail, buses, pedestrian, bicycle, landscaping, etc.) programs to actual highway construction & repair, repeal prevailing wage rules, prohibit all environmental / endangered species challenges to transportation projects & remove all private rights of action against repair / expansion of existing roads.

Anyone want to wager that the above wouldn't at least effectively triple our annual road-building capacity without raising an additional penny in revenue?

Posted by Slulet Fleper3922 2015-01-19 11:26|| 2015-01-19 11:26|| Front Page Top

#6 Eliminate a couple or more worthless agencies and "re-distribute" their budget. Energy, education, and the IRS are candidates. There are others. Big government has been used to address unemployment problems. The money could be better spent in the private sector and we'd get more for our buck. I wonder how much of every dollar sent to Washington get skimmed off to support a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy.

Posted by JohnQC 2015-01-19 13:19|| 2015-01-19 13:19|| Front Page Top

#7 Talk of pump prices is a bit of a red herring since fed and state gas taxes are per gallon and not based on price.

Posted by SteveS 2015-01-19 16:07|| 2015-01-19 16:07|| Front Page Top

#8 the government needs more money from the money collected from drivers for maintaining roads, but they don't need it for that. They need it so they can make new bike paths by cutting down motor vehicle lanes. Though this adds to traffic congestion, it does satisfy nostalgia for the great bicycle craze of the 1880s.

Posted by Grins Snese4215 2015-01-19 17:30|| 2015-01-19 17:30|| Front Page Top

#9 I say raise taxes and ~~fix the levies~~ make bike trails in New Orleans.

OOPS! My bad. That was already done. Disregard.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2015-01-19 20:46|| 2015-01-19 20:46|| Front Page Top