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Lawmakers Consider Raising The Federal Gas Tax

KEYETV -- It has been 20 years since Congress raised the federal gasoline tax. When you fill up your tank, 18.4 cents a gallon is going toward paying for highway construction and repairs in all 50 states.But the federal highway trust fund is running out of money fast. Lawmakers estimate highways across America, like I-35, need $2 trillion dollars in repairs. With Americans driving less and cars becoming more fuel efficient, lawmakers in both parties say it's past time for an increase.

So let's break down what this means for the average driver. We pay about $96 a year in federal gas taxes. If the administration raises the highway trust fund from $34 billion to the $78 billion needed to fix and maintain roads, which could rise to about $250 a year.

The state gas tax, which lawmakers are also consid

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Submitted Feb 07, 2013 By: bar1035

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E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,015 Points:820,970 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 6:10:51 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse honda0105 muses: "maybe it would be better to make the gas tax a percentage rather than a standing figure." Well, in all of the places that I know about fuel taxes, its actually a combination of both. Many jurisdictions have many small percentages and fixed fees on gasoline or diesel fuel. Here, where I live in southern California, there are so many of them that they add up to approximately 25% of the total price of gasoline. (Cost Analysis of a Gallon...) "if the gas tax would go to what it was intended (i.e. maintaining and building new infrastructure) it wouldn't be such a biggie." Taxes are applied for many reasons, some to raise revenue, some to 'punish' or 'control behavior'. For example, the Federal Excise tax on gasoline was originally imposed on gasoline back during WWII, to discourage people from using it, so that the piston-driven military aircraft of the day would have 'enough to go around'. This purpose has long since faded from relevance, and today, its just about the "money".
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 6:54:32 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse maybe it would be better to make the gas tax a percentage rather than a standing figure. Of course, that will drive our prices up even more.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 4:56:00 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Yetie: thinking? Inside the Beltway? ROFLPMPLMOA!
Yetie Sophomore Author Las Vegas Posts:218 Points:814,115 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Feb 11, 2013 10:11:28 PM Ignore Yetie Report Abuse What are they thinking?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2013 11:01:43 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse if the gas tax would go to what it was intended (i.e. maintaining and building new infrastructure) it wouldn't be such a biggie. But when infrastructure that's only able to be maintained on the federal level, such as interstate highways, are not taken care of with the money the states bring into the federal system, then there's a major problem.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2013 7:04:38 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse syd: sadly, they are legally voted into office. But I agree.. robbery all the way.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,560 Points:1,919,940 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2013 9:38:08 AM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Crooks! Help! They are pickpocketing my wallet!
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,781 Points:1,556,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:39:17 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse You didn't buy enough Volts to meet government expectations. Now you must suffer! Gasoline prices aren't high enough, so higher taxes will help kill what little life is left in the economy.
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,723 Points:388,950 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:19:10 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Inflation
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,497 Points:1,511,355 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:12:21 PM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse I didn't vote for 'em.
richnc All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:575 Points:209,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:12:08 PM Ignore richnc Report Abuse at some point they are going to squeeze us to the point we go squish and then how with the economy be? They expect us to live within our means - our "leaders" should do the same.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,901 Points:773,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:10:22 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse crooks
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,901 Points:773,245 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:10:06 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse leave it alone
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,809 Points:1,844,425 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:09:25 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Now is not the time for this measure.
EASYRYDER Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:11,336 Points:2,287,425 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:08:08 PM Ignore EASYRYDER Report Abuse Federal taxes, state taxes, city taxes, property taxes, sales taxes. RAISE EM RAISE EM, what else is new?
speedraider Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,678 Points:1,645,870 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:05:33 PM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse more bs
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,223 Points:519,600 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:04:40 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse I think it's inevitable.
unemployed58 Veteran Author Montreal Posts:250 Points:64,145 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:03:50 PM Ignore unemployed58 Report Abuse woohoo another increase
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:3,978 Points:1,509,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:03:46 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse Just drop the gas price.
CivicMA Champion Author Boston Posts:1,902 Points:536,170 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:03:16 PM Ignore CivicMA Report Abuse They use almost none of the money for the stated purpose!
JasTheAce All-Star Author Raleigh Posts:975 Points:173,310 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:02:29 PM Ignore JasTheAce Report Abuse opp
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,787 Points:645,560 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 11:00:15 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse Gas prices are too high already.
Jeff1944 Champion Author South Dakota Posts:4,239 Points:1,075,595 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:56:04 PM Ignore Jeff1944 Report Abuse What would you expect from leaders that make more money than you?
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,105 Points:635,825 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:52:03 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse Just what everybody needs. Not!!!
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,266 Points:589,360 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:49:50 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Great posts by walkingtall and clermont40miles!!!! Our do nothing Congress needs to stay within a budget!!!! Then follow where the money is spent and efficiently!!!
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,860 Points:1,472,995 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:48:16 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse Whatever the tax is on whatever powers the vehicles using our nations hi-ways should be comparable across the board, i.e. All the alternatives should be in the mix just like the rest of us.
wbpprint Veteran Author Chicago Posts:285 Points:1,405,715 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:47:05 PM Ignore wbpprint Report Abuse Lets just hope they don't go to % tax, the way gas prices are soaring so would the tax.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,606 Points:2,507,305 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:41:19 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse Should be at least $1 a gallon
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,860 Points:1,472,995 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:38:35 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse They're going to get their money, oops - ours, even if we aren't driving as much.
ldiggy All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:782 Points:289,840 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:34:49 PM Ignore ldiggy Report Abuse Taxes taxes taxes.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,810 Points:820,285 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:34:00 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse I wouldn't be suprised if the NoBama administration tried to start taxing you for every breath you take during the day...
NAVYHM All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:761 Points:1,386,455 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:33:46 PM Ignore NAVYHM Report Abuse YEAH... WELL RE-CONSIDER IDIOTS...
GRUMPY55 Champion Author California Posts:1,629 Points:424,250 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:31:37 PM Ignore GRUMPY55 Report Abuse Higher prices at the tank
cssco Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,331 Points:1,752,505 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:26:08 PM Ignore cssco Report Abuse Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! not.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,583 Points:1,773,845 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:25:42 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Ixnay Axtay. TEA - Taxed Enough Already. LEARN how to spend money properly. Lack of money is not the problem. Lack of integrity and competence are the problem. The money collected goes into the general fund, not kept separate and used for its intended purpose. Go pound salt.
nimpy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,145 Points:1,703,055 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:23:49 PM Ignore nimpy Report Abuse Of course they will
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,479 Points:1,712,810 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:19:27 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse More trafficR inWE
mlmeng Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,640 Points:592,035 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:19:07 PM Ignore mlmeng Report Abuse I agree with walkingtall.
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,574 Points:1,514,080 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:19:00 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Interesting
NemoIL Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,030 Points:1,314,195 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:17:25 PM Ignore NemoIL Report Abuse Obama said he did not have a spending problem. Of course not, as long as he can keep increasing the taxes you have to pay. Did you notice your paycheck just got smaller since the first of the year? Now more federal taxes, how much more of obama's failed socialist agenda can we take?
btex49 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,720 Points:531,080 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:17:24 PM Ignore btex49 Report Abuse Prove that the gas tax money goes to improve highways before raising it. I suspect that gas tax money is easily diverted to other things.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,249 Points:1,686,175 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:17:05 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse Here comes the middle class tax hike!
N4PIP All-Star Author Miami Posts:910 Points:420,405 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:15:02 PM Ignore N4PIP Report Abuse So, they want to punish citizens for conserving fuel? The so-called "conservatives" in Congress are a joke. They all need a pay and benefit cut as a symbolic measure of sacrifice.
Chuck11211960 Rookie Author Tucson Posts:51 Points:45,850 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:14:49 PM Ignore Chuck11211960 Report Abuse they should legalize marijuana and tax that instead og gas
BREW9 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:891 Points:2,913,905 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:11:47 PM Ignore BREW9 Report Abuse thanks
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:12,103 Points:2,291,795 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:09:49 PM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse "Need to learn to spend what they have more efficiently" Here we just spent about $1M and they didn't even widen the road where there is a bottleneck. Look at a photo like Google maps of i-235 near N.W. 36th St. to 50th St.
Canucktree Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,901 Points:1,021,600 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:07:23 PM Ignore Canucktree Report Abuse I guess?!
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,093 Points:1,392,820 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:06:58 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse Of course they do!
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,289 Points:1,676,350 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:06:48 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse If you expect good roads then you have to expect to pay for them. Motorists should pay not the non drivers.
heydano67 Champion Author California Posts:1,671 Points:358,510 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2013 10:06:11 PM Ignore heydano67 Report Abuse Need to learn to spend what they have more efficiently