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[Taxes] Raising the Federal Gas Tax

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by Cohete Rojo, Jan 9, 2015.

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What should be done about the federal gas tax?

  1. Increase the tax

    46.7%
  2. Keep the tax the same

    26.7%
  3. Reduce the tax

    26.7%
  1. Cohete Rojo

    Cohete Rojo Contributing Member

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    The federal gasoline tax has not been changed since 1997. States are able to raise gas taxes, and in parts of 2008-2009 Alaska repealed the gas tax.

    Link to state and federal tax amounts: http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/marketing/monthly/pdf/mgt.pdf

    Discussion about the gas tax usually brings up the 'crumbling' infrastructure problems and who benefits (poor vs rich). Also, there tend to be crazy ideas (as in this will never get done). In the 1980 presidential election, Anderson suggested doubling the gas tax and halving the Social Security tax. The ideas lives on with Charles Krauthammer:

    Let Clutchfans decide: Raise, keep it the same or reduce the gas tax.
     
  2. Major

    Major Member

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    The gas tax, like minimum wage and everything else in government policy, should be auto-inflation-adjusted. This idea that we set flat dollar amounts for things when we know the dollar value will change over time is silly.
     
  3. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

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    you left off the repeal option

    Americans incomes haven't improved in decades. They finally get some relief at the pump and politicians swarm on their income like locusts.
     
  4. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    Hell, the Texas gas tax should be raised. I believe we have one of the lowest rates in the country, unchanged for a very long time.
     
  5. Major

    Major Member

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    Aren't gas taxes - aka, user fees - exactly how libertarians think we should be taxed? You are taxed based on the resources you use. I would think you would champion those taxes over income taxes and the like.
     
  6. MexAmercnMoose

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    I work in the transportation/infrastructure industry...there are a lot of bad bridges out there, especially in the Northeast...the gas tax needs to go up.
     
  7. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Very good point. I can Agree with this

    It's not that I don't like paying taxes
    I just don't trust that the money will go where needed
    I think after the hikes. . .those bridges will still be bad
    but we will have another LOOP of TOLLWAYS
    [Take this money to make more money . . WWWOOOOO , ,. . GRAND PARKWAY!!]

    Rocket River
     
  8. body slam

    body slam Member

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    Did a google search on the amount of gas used in the United State in a day and this came up.

    In 2013, about 134.51 billion gallons1 (or 3.20 billion barrels) of gasoline were consumed2 in the United States, a daily average of about 368.51 million gallons (or 8.77 million barrels).
     
  9. SamFisher

    SamFisher Contributing Member

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    If you've ever driven on an interstate, known anyone who has, or consumed or purchased any item that has reached you via the interstate highway system - you're a beneficiary of the gas tax.

    So yeah, let's repeal the gas tax and get rid of roads because you know what screw your big government roads.
     
  10. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

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    in place of, and at lower rates

    not in addition to
     
  11. justtxyank

    justtxyank Contributing Member

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    The federal government should just sponsor a bake sale to pay for the roads.
     

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