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Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:22 am
by HI54UNI
What is the purpose of gas taxes?
Heard some enviros argue that the purpose of gas taxes is to encourage the reduction of emissions. First time I've ever heard that. Does anybody else think that way?
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:44 am
by Ibanez
It's for roads/bridges. SC just increased the tax by $.02 (it's now $.26/gal) to speed up the repairs of neglected roads/bridges. SC roads are terrible.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:49 am
by AZGrizFan
HI54UNI wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:22 am
What is the purpose of gas taxes?
Heard some enviros argue that the purpose of gas taxes is to encourage the reduction of emissions. First time I've ever heard that. Does anybody else think that way?
More “made up” enviro-law…..those fuckers will appropriate literally ANYTHING as their own.
It’s for roads and bridges.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:31 am
by SuperHornet
I think AZ has the right of it here. Historically, gas taxes have paid for roads and bridges. At least until Donkey CA governors started stealing from that to pay for pet social projects, forcing CalTrans to request more taxes. Finally, Brown got a constitutional amendment passed so that his latest jack of the gas tax would be FORCED to be used on road projects. We'll see how long that lasts. Pretty soon we'll see some Bezerkeley-based leftist enviro-wacko try that "encouragement" argument here, if it hasn't been used already....
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:42 am
by UNI88
AZGrizFan wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:49 am
HI54UNI wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:22 am
What is the purpose of gas taxes?
Heard some enviros argue that the purpose of gas taxes is to encourage the reduction of emissions. First time I've ever heard that. Does anybody else think that way?
More “made up” enviro-law…..those fuckers will appropriate literally ANYTHING as their own.
It’s for roads and bridges.
Enviros want to switch the narrative and preempt state and local governments that want to find ways to tax Tesla and Prius owners for the wear and tear they put on roads.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:33 am
by Pwns
You either raise taxes a little and don't really affect consumption or you raise them a lot and hurt lower income people while not affecting consumption much more.
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to think everyone can just move closer to the city or bike to the grocery store or take the bus to work.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:45 am
by HI54UNI
UNI88 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:42 am
Enviros want to switch the narrative and preempt state and local governments that want to find ways to tax Tesla and Prius owners for the wear and tear they put on roads.
That was part of the spin in the article. The state is adding additional registration fees to electric vehicles to make up for lost tax revenue but that's not fair because the purpose of gas taxes is to lower emissions.
I actually read it twice because I couldn't believe someone was that stupid.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 10:09 am
by UNI88
HI54UNI wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:45 am
UNI88 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:42 am
Enviros want to switch the narrative and preempt state and local governments that want to find ways to tax Tesla and Prius owners for the wear and tear they put on roads.
That was part of the spin in the article. The state is adding additional registration fees to electric vehicles to make up for lost tax revenue but that's not fair because the purpose of gas taxes is to lower emissions.
I actually read it twice because I couldn't believe someone was that stupid.
The enviros probably think it's only fair that Neanderthal owners of gas vehicles subsidize road maintenance for them.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 11:23 am
by dbackjon
HI54UNI wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:45 am
UNI88 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:42 am
Enviros want to switch the narrative and preempt state and local governments that want to find ways to tax Tesla and Prius owners for the wear and tear they put on roads.
That was part of the spin in the article. The state is adding additional registration fees to electric vehicles to make up for lost tax revenue but that's not fair because the purpose of gas taxes is to lower emissions.
I actually read it twice because I couldn't believe someone was that stupid.
Primary purpose is to pay for roads/bridges, etc.
Now a higher gas tax could have a secondary effect of limiting driving/encouraging conservation but as we've seen with gas prices, demand and price (other than a major shutdown like Covid) are really separated - it would take European style gas taxes - on average, US gas taxes are around 50c/gallon, European are over $2.50/gallon) to affect consumption in any meaningful way. - in other words, gas taxes have almost zero impact on consumption in the US.
And yes, electric vehicles SHOULD pay higher registration fees - based on weight to cover the lost revenue.
Re: Gas taxes
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:34 pm
by Gil Dobie
dbackjon wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 11:23 am
HI54UNI wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:45 am
That was part of the spin in the article. The state is adding additional registration fees to electric vehicles to make up for lost tax revenue but that's not fair because the purpose of gas taxes is to lower emissions.
I actually read it twice because I couldn't believe someone was that stupid.
Primary purpose is to pay for roads/bridges, etc.
Now a higher gas tax could have a secondary effect of limiting driving/encouraging conservation but as we've seen with gas prices, demand and price (other than a major shutdown like Covid) are really separated - it would take European style gas taxes - on average, US gas taxes are around 50c/gallon, European are over $2.50/gallon) to affect consumption in any meaningful way. - in other words, gas taxes have almost zero impact on consumption in the US.
And yes, electric vehicles SHOULD pay higher registration fees - based on weight to cover the lost revenue.
Catch 22, using electric cars reduces driving distance. Still need a better electric car to get people long distances and keep them warm in their vehicles in the upper midwest.