Posted on 07/27/2008 10:24:19 PM PDT by Fred
An unprecedented cutback in driving is slashing the funds available to rebuild the nation's aging highway system and expand mass-transit options, underscoring the economic impact of high gasoline prices. The resulting financial strain is touching off a political battle over government priorities in a new era of expensive oil.
A report to be released Monday by the Transportation Department shows that over the past seven months, Americans have reduced their driving by more than 40 billion miles. Because of high gasoline prices, they drove 3.7% fewer miles in May than they did a year earlier, the report says, more than double the 1.8% drop-off seen in April.
The cutback furthers many U.S. policy goals, such as reducing oil consumption and curbing emissions. But, coupled with a rapid shift away from gas-guzzling vehicles, it also means consumers are paying less in federal fuel taxes, which go largely to help finance highway and mass-transit systems. As a result, many such projects may have to be pared down or eliminated.
The challenge comes at a time when surging costs for asphalt and other construction materials already are straining state and local transportation budgets. Those cost increases make it more expensive to maintain the nation's roads, bridges and rail networks.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
If we cut back on driving, we wear down the highways less. The government should, therfore, need less funds for upkeep. They need to cut back on staff. Off with their heads for thinking of more taxes.
“Americans have reduced their driving by more than 40 billion miles.”
If Americans are driving less miles, the roads should not wear out as fast...
Same thought... You beat me though.
What nonsense.
/johnny
The state governments will find some way to extract their pound of flesh.
“Welcome to the free market.”
It’s more of a free market without speculators. Supply and demand should govern the market, speculators only distort it for their own personal gain.
How come they don’t reduce the tolls? Even .25 would have more people coming through.
The government doesn’t need any more money from us. In fact, they need a lot less.
It’s about time the people extracted their pound of flesh and that’s to kick out all serving Congress.
Always. We've had a drought around here and the City rightfully asked everyone to cut water usage, restricted lawn watering, car washing, etc. The measures were so successful that the City no longer gets enough revenue to run the water department. Hence water rates are jacked up.
Demand goes down, price goes up--when the government makes the rules.
For years I had a well and did not use City water but they found a way to skewer me and others who weren't helping to fill the coffers. We were charged for rain water that runs off our land into storm sewers and creeks. The storm sewer has been in place for 35+ years here and doesn't require a lot of maintenance.
I suppose we're lucky they haven't thought of a breathing tax...yet.
Reporter implies that gas prices are the only explanation, instead of a slowing economy and compressed budgets in the personal and business segments.
You've never heard of Cap and Trade, Carbon Taxes, etc.?
I read about this last week. The federal transportation dept. wants another ten cents per gallon added to the gas tax. They say they will have to cut thousands of jobs unless they get the increase. So, drive as usual and pay for gas at the rate it is, or don’t drive so much and pay another 10 cents per gallon. What is wrong with this picture?
Wrong thread? I think I just read that in the Naked Shorts thread.
No one has mentioned the diversion of state highway and transit funds raised by gas taxes et all, by Democratic state governors (such as Doyle’s diversion of $3,000,000,000 in Wisconsin) to political pets such as the Teachers Union for their usage. I wince everytime this subject comes up and no one brings up those diversions.
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