Posted on 12/02/2013 4:50:35 PM PST by Libloather
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) is introducing legislation that would nearly double the 18.4-cents-per-gallon federal gas tax that is traditionally used to pay for federal transportation projects.
Blumenauer's bill would increase the gas tax by 15 cents, matching a proposal that was included in the 2011 Simpson-Bowles budget reform recommendations.
The legislation would result in drivers paying an extra 33.4 cents per gallon on their purchases, in addition to state taxes.
Transportation advocates have pushed for a gas tax increase to close an approximately $20 billion shortfall in infrastructure funding that has developed as cars have grown more fuel efficient.
The current tax of 18.4 cents per gallon brings in about $35 billion per year. The last transportation bill that was passed by Congress included approximately $54 billion in funding per year, which transportation advocates said was barely enough to cover the repair needs of the current U.S. infrastructure system.
The last time the federal gas tax was increased was 1993.
If the current gas tax were to be indexed to inflation since it was enacted in 1993, drivers would be paying about 30 cents per gallon on their gasoline purchases now.
Blumenauer is scheduled to unveil his legislation to increase the federal gas tax during a news conference on Wednesday.
The Oregon lawmaker is scheduled to appear with representatives from the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Labors International Union of North America, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Reconnecting America and the American Public Transportation Association.
Our RINO Gov here in PA recently passed a “transportation bill” which will add 28.5 cents per gallon to the taxes we already pay in PA. And this does not include this new increase at the Federal level.
Is this the douchebag that rides a bike, and wears a bike pin on his lapel??
This plus the Obamacare lies and associated clusterf—k should just about make ‘em extinct after the next election.
All that gas tax revenue is being spent in the general fund, instead of where it’s supposed to be going.
These people never stop. They can’t help themselves it seems.
Those that drive on the roads should be the ones paying for the roads.
Gasoline taxes are a model for fair taxation. There should be no more subsidies for drivers just like there shouldn't be subsidies for milk drinkers or anyone else that wants to take money from other people so they can have a cheaper drive or a cheaper milkshake.
No bailouts, drivers included.
#3 Yep. that’s the leftist lunatic doucebag. Known to sane people as “Bloomingidiot”. Another one of Oregon’s “finest” - nutjobs!
How can there be a $20 billion dollar shortfall?
Obama just spent $900 billion on shovel-ready projects rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.
Didn't he?
RINO Tom Corbett, the RINO legislative leaders and the Democrats all worked together on that to round up the votes and all will benefit from business and labor “kickback” campaign contributions.
LIUNA - Laborers International Union of No. America, the Clintons’ favorite Mafia moneybags in the 1990’s.
See Byron York’s April 1997 article about the Clintons and the Mob in “American Spectator”.
LIUNA was skimming 1 dollar out of every 10 from NYC construction projects. Looks like they want a piece of Blumenauer’s cash cow legislation.
Attorney Gen. Janet Reno quashed the hundreds of indictments brought for an assets seizure action. The evidence against the Mob was overwhelming but Reno had to protect the Clintons.
Brave IRS and FBI agents risked their lives to gather evidence against the Mob only to be thrown down the toilet of political coverups.
I know. I worked on that Organized Crime Task Force - Assets Seizure Program. Even the Teamsters were involved. Alan Dorfman double tapped as well as the one honest LIUNA VP (found shot in the trunk of a car in Baltimore).
LIUNA - FRIENDS OF THE CLINTONS!
You assume that gas taxes go to pay for roads? Why?
They send your local gas tax all the way to DC for what purpose? To take their cut? They could tax gas at 100% and they would still claim poverty.
I think you have that backwards.
Oregon ping...
Thank you for your efforts.
The only way the Krintons will see justice will be the afterlife it seems. Nothing ever seems to harm them ever.
EVERYTHING comes to you at one time or another over the road in a truck!
Marvel as the money comes flying in.Along with the pitchforks,torches and crossbow bolts.
force people to be more fuel efficient, and tax them to curb driving.
when people get more fuel efficient, tax them for being more fuel efficient cuz politicians can never learn to live with less.
we learned to live with less b/c they forced us to. now that they’re facing less tax revenue, let them learn to deal with less.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.