Posted on 04/04/2013 8:56:34 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Maryland's decision last month to raise its gasoline tax highlights a trend taking shape across the country: States are increasingly opting to raise gas taxes and other fees to fund road repairs and maintenance.
Gasoline consumption is down nationwide, thanks to more fuel-efficient vehicles and the slow pace of the economic recovery. Gas taxes also have mostly stayed constant in nominal terms, even as the cost of road repairs and construction rises in line with inflation or faster. The combination means money for roadsusually drawn from gas taxesis increasingly falling short of what is needed.
The gas-tax increases come on top of pump prices that have remained high. After briefly easing at the end of 2012, prices rose again early this year and are averaging about $3.60 per gallon nationwide for regular gasoline. Any state taxes raise the cost for strapped consumers.
Even so, some 17 statesincluding some dominated by Republicanshave enacted or are considering tax and fee changes to aid transportation budgets, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Virginia and Maryland passed new bills after more than two decades of inaction. Wyoming increased its gas tax to 24 cents a gallon from 14 cents a gallon, effective in July. Iowa is considering a 10-cent-per-gallon hike.
Texas is considering a variety of proposals. "It doesn't matter whether you're Republican, Democrat, tea party," said Texas state Sen. Robert Nichols, a Republican who is chairman of the Senate transportation committee. "Everybody recognizes the need for transportation funding."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
... is there a day that Maryland doesn’t bring more consumer bad news?
So Texas is the biggest loser in sending funds to D.C, and not getting its “fair share” returned. Where are you, Rick Perry???
Note which State is second. Yet all the time around here we hear about how all the Red States support California. This is typical for Federal taxes of all kinds. It’s the other way around but no one will admit it.
That map reflects accumulated stats from 1956 to present. I strongly suspect that Texas was a net ‘winner’ for the first 10 years of this century, and maybe even is today.
There were ALOT of highways built in Texas in the last 10-15 years.
How could anyone guess this would happen?? What a surprise!!
how can any conservative today still live in these anti gun, pro homosexual, high tax, even some socialist, many rules, no freedom, pro illegal cess pit states is beyond me.
When I got my wife out of MA she was struck how much freedom she had in FL, no emission check on vehicles, no inspection, can have back yard fires, fireworks legal , can buy beer and wine at gas stations, can smoke in most bars etc etc etc.
I lived in NY for about 2.5 years. When crossing from NJ->NY I made it a point to ALWAYS fill my tank with cheaper NJ gas.
I live in NC one mile from the SC border.
I ALWAYS go directly across the SC border to the first gas station to take advantage of the 20+ cents difference in the cost between NC vs SC. All of it is state tax.
One mile north of my house, in NC, the price now is $3.67.
Go one mile south and its $3.42.
Even if I am very low while driving around Gastonia, NC I only get a few dollares worth to last me until I can whip it across the state line into Clover, SC.
“””how can any conservative today still live in these anti gun, pro homosexual, high tax, even some socialist, many rules, no freedom, pro illegal cess pit states is beyond me.”””
I not only hate these states, I even hate the city limits of some red state towns.
In the city limits, you cannot step on your back porch and shoot at something. I WILL NOT LIVE LIKE THAT. NO WAY NO HOW.
Another added benefit to cow pasture country where I live and raise my family is that the lowlifes/liberals/hippies/crackheads/gangbangers that normally dwell in big cities usually avoid places where alot of rednecks ride around on 4wheelers carrying rifles. We are not very diverse. Thats how we like it.
I don’t see how anyone can live in a big liberal city either, manc. I guess if I was a 22 yearold gay, athiest, tree-hugging, pot smoking, blog-writing, progressive, socialist, che tshirt-wearing, tofu eating, hippy, ‘arts’ student I would probably like it. I dunno.
Ye olde Clover where I grew up and still visit. Haven’t been in Gastonia in long time.
I live about a mile up Robinson Rd. right past the old “stink plant” off 321 at the train tressel.
I drive down 321 to SC and stop at the BP station right across the border before you get to all the fireworks stores.
Love that country and have lived there for 44 years since birth. I have no desire to move anywhere else.
I know your stretch fairly well. My folks and a couple of friends are on another side of Clover around the Jr high and has megaplexes.
"Its the same everywhere, day-to-day your life doesn't change, taxes even out to about the same everywhere, hey we've got colleges here..." Is the endless refrain. I always ask them how having 'hah-vard' in their general vicinity makes their life better in any way shape or form. I ask them how they can abide paying the higher taxes, because yes the taxes ARE higher, they try to insist "we make so much more money here." Never mind that the cost of living is also much higher.
Some people are just so hide-bound -- they've decided where they're at is best and thats that. Their minds are thoroughly mixed and permanently set.
I don't. I recognize the need for taxes that fund the roads. I don't recognize the need for social engineering (subsidies for bus lines), for social consciousness (train and light rail subsidies), liberal playthings (even more subsidies, including carpool funding, access into carpool lanes for 'clean' cars, etc.)
There are two reasons why the 'transportation' budget keeps going up. First and foremost, drivers are being taxed for general fund expenditures such as light rail, buses, etc. Number two, because of increased demands on the businesses doing the work, including requirements for health care, 'living wages', minority employment, etc.
They are regulating the increased cost of building roads, and pillaging road funds to pay for their toys.
I meant HS megaplex on 55.
Maryland’s gas taxes will be going up, up, UP for those buses and choo-choos!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
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