White House: Gas Prices Will ‘Continue to Go Up’

The White House confirmed Monday that gas prices in the United States would continue rising, even as President Joe Biden has offered few specific solutions to the problem.

“In terms of how far, you know, we still believe it will continue to go up,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters when asked about the price of gas.

She would not say if the White House had any estimation of how high prices could get, but tried to reassure Americans that Biden was working on the problem.

Biden has repeatedly promised to work on finding ways to reduce gas prices, but his efforts have mostly failed.

Such a echo chamber. Facts hurt sometimes. The Federal government doesn’t collect enough from gasoline and diesel taxes to fund the current system let alone expand or build out new infrastructure. That’s a fact the GAO has all the numbers for those willing to look at them. There is only limited revenue streams for the Federal government and the system will be funded letting the Federal hwy system collapse is not a valid option. So the question is how to close the revenue gap. Right now that gap is closed with taking funds from the general revenues which is largely funded by income taxes on individuals. The other source is debt finance again theses are facts the GAO is happy to provide via a FOIA request. So how to close the gap with the greatest equality for citizens. It’s also a proven fact that direct user taxes are the most equitable of all forms of revenue collection the underlying moral principle is use more pay more. That alone is a solid moral position to be in. Pushing the gap via debt financing to future generations is not a sound moral argument. The American taxpayer those who pay positive net taxes not the 47% who pay net zero Federal income tax are already paying for the Federal hwy system as the Fed’s have been raiding the general fund for years. This means a good portion of those 47% are getting a free ride on the backs of actual tax payers. The math is easy to see why the average driver covers just under 14,000 miles per year at 25 mpg that generates just under $100 in Federal road funding revenue. That is why the system has collapsed in funding. There is no way $100 funds an individual’s actual usage of 14,000 miles of road use no way no how. Just admit you want other people to pay for the roads you’re using which is what is currently happening. Even doubling mileage driven to 30,000 miles per year well outside the norm still only generates $219 at 25 mpg. Most new cars get 30 to 40 mpg so the amount is even less. I don’t deal in emotions I am not a woman not a child I can look at data and facts like an adult. Something has to change not only due to electric vehicles not paying gas taxes at all but also the dwindling revenues from the individuals as well. Again even at 30,000 miles per year the Fed’s are getting only $219 a year from that person no where near enough to fund road systems that have multiple million dollar per mile construction costs and half a million per mile in repavement costs. Frankly it’s irrelevant what a small subset of group thinkers opinions are the facts are the Federal hwy system
Is defunct every year and that won’t change until a new revenue stream is put to it. The most fair stream is to remove Federal gas / diesel taxes and charge pay as you use under the use more pay more system. Since trucks actually cause most of the need for road repaving they should be charged more for the damages they cause. This also makes EVs on a level playing field. Usage taxes are by definition equal as everyone with the same class of use pays the same for each unit of use. The fedgov could go the European route and raise taxes on gas to levels that would close the funding gap taxes would be at least four times higher since the existing tax system covers under 25% of the system costs. As fuel economy increases and also with the increased use of EVs this a taxes would have to rise nearly every year to keepclosing that revenue gap as fewer and fewer gallons are taxed to carry the same funding load. Or you broaden the base of revenue collection to spread the cost on as many users as possible. The equitable way to tax users of a system is to charge per unit of use that’s easy to see. One way or the other the system has to be funded how it is done is the only question. Like it was shown the current system puts the costs on debt financing and future generations and also takes funding from General revenue from the net taxpayers. Fully 47% get a free ride and the future generations don’t get a day at all. This is just demonstrating that boomers are the most selfish people in the 20th century. Putting year after year on debt financing and future generations is typical boomer. I’d love to hear a mathematical sound counter argument that funds the Federal hwy system at it’s full cost per year. The current gas/ diesel tax does not come close so what other revenue stream then? General revenue funds ok income taxes go up with increasing infrastructure costs and growth needs. Debt financing , printing more fiat currency? Funding has to come from somewhere. Tolls on the interstate system?

Sir, you laid out a logical explanation for your stance and for that I thank you.

You did not address my assumption that you are a CA transplant whom is now calling TX home. Your argument for per mile taxes is completely illogical to me and others who drive many 2 lane rural roads and highways in the flyover country. We are predominate outside the confines of the large city centers which your user name suggests.

You argue for toll road charges. I frequently drive I70 frequently and pay the toll in E Kansas, I recall there was a day when said tolls were one day said to sunset and now, we see the continuance and a dramatic increase in the said toll levels instead.

So, where does it end? You sound competent so I won’t insult your intelligence questioning the wisdom of govt to properly manage and administer the generated funds from tolling or taxing to insure roads are maintained and improvements are made. Simply said, govt mucks up everything it involves itself in be it low bids, sub par work and the consequence of old fashioned cronyism. I mentioned to you earlier the Dept of Energy? Again, where are we today with the original intent that was created?

And so, I will contend and deal with the potholes and like rather than entrust my honest earned treasure to some bureaucrat like Buttigieg and his ilk.

MFO

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