Federal Gas Tax Set To Expire In September, Should It Be Increased?

It won’t be long and the grandstanding will start up in earnest. Nothing focuses the political mind like the potential loss of hundreds of billions of dollars in tax revenue.

Come the end of September, and with it the expiration of the 18.4 cent fuel tax, we will be thoroughly warned that the end is nigh if the federal gas tax goes the way of the dodo bird.

The “Chamber” types will decry the collapsing infrastructure. The “greens” will demand the replacement of highways with bicycle trails. Municipalities will plead for more millions in subsidies to support their transit systems (that average one passenger per vehicle mile travelled), and we’ll get a good dose of “bridge to nowhere” stories.

2013 BMW 3-Series Spied In The Flesh For The First Time

BimmerFest East 2011 Photo Gallery

BMW i3 and i8 Concept Photo Gallery

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Photo Gallery

Full 2011 Comicon Photo Gallery

Waterfest 2011 Photo Gallery

SPIED! FIRST Look Next-Gen Ford Escape Photo Gallery

AutoSpies.com Photo Galleries

If you want to see your photos running on our homepage photo ticker, be sure to upload your photos on the go by sending them to Mobile@AutoSpies.com

Share on Facebook

Read Article

veyron1001 - 8/16/2011 2:54:03 PM

+4 Boost

Nope. There should be a weight tax. With <1000lbs and commercial vehicles excluded.

LexSucks - 8/16/2011 3:13:50 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, the gas tax should be increased/raised. The governments job is to put the largest burden on the people who can least afford it. And folks who make more than $250k/year should be exempt from the tax increase. Gotta protect the "Job Creators".

Mustang953 - 8/16/2011 10:46:55 PM

+2 Boost

Well, with your thinking, we should also pay an annual road tax, as they do in the EU, based on the size of the engine. And, while we are at it why not also pay a 18-25% Value Added Tax (VAT) on everything we purchase, including a car. NOT! This is why we sent the Brits home in 1776...taxation! This is why our forefathers moved from the home countries, to escape the "tax until you die and then we take what's left" attitude in what is now known as the EU. All we have to do is close the loop holes and make the 44% of the people who pay no taxes and get a refund (still have not figured that one out), pay taxes like the rest of us.

800over - 8/17/2011 11:56:38 AM

+1 Boost

hey Mustang. How's the current system you're working under in the US? You happy with your current situation? People who live in States that have per capita debt like Greece shouldn't throw stones. If I get your post right you kicked the British out because they tax too much but in your last line you say the US needs to increase taxes. Which is it?

uaw_lax - 8/17/2011 11:13:13 AM

0 Boost

No we should only increase taxes on the super rich not the kids trying to figure out how they are going to get to school with their last bit of gas money.

bfghemicuda - 8/17/2011 12:02:15 PM

0 Boost

Raising gas tax fixes NOTHING! Just makes Gov bigger.

LexSucks - 8/18/2011 3:40:16 PM

+1 Boost

That's right. We need smaller government. We need less Police officers, firemen and teachers. Not to mention trash removal, who needs that? We also need to get rid of stupid things like meat inspectors(USDA), and the EPA (making sure the environment isn't getting destroyed).

People who complain about big government doesn't know what the Govt actaully does, and are just repeating talk-show host talking points.