Recent Streetsblog SF posts about Gas Tax

Could a New Kind of Fuel Tax Help Break the Senate Climate Deadlock?

By Elana Schor | Mar 1, 2010 | No Comments

Even before the Senate environment panel pushed through a GOP protest to approve its climate change bill, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and John Kerry (D-MA) were working behind the scenes on a so-called "tripartisan" plan that can win enough votes in Congress’ upper chamber to make nationwide emissions cuts a reality. (from […]

The Gas Tax Versus a VMT Tax: Is ‘All of the Above’ an Option?

By Elana Schor | Feb 10, 2010 | 15 Comments

(Chart: Oregon DOT) The prospect of an eventual move away from the gas tax and towards a fee on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has sparked consternation from some well-known bloggers this week, with Matt Yglesias asserting that "a VMT [tax] has no advantages whatsoever over higher gasoline taxes" and Andrew Samwick suggesting that declining fuel […]

Pelosi: Gas Tax Hike Doesn’t Have Majority Support in Congress

By Elana Schor | Jan 12, 2010 | 1 Comment

After touring the Detroit Auto Show yesterday with fellow lawmakers, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) took one question yesterday: Why are Democrats not pursuing a federal gas tax hike, given its potential to cut carbon emissions and its support from auto industry players aiming to stoke demand for efficient cars? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) […]

The U.S. Transportation Financing Crisis: A Snapshot From the States

By Elana Schor | Jan 7, 2010 | 1 Comment

Washington transportation policymaking can often resemble an unwieldy soup of anywhere between 50 and 535 local perspectives, as lawmakers from different states and districts vie for a fixed (or even shrinking) amount of federal funding. Congress isn’t eager to raise fuel taxes to pay for transportation — but what about the states? (Photo: Pop and […]

Report: Road Funding From Non-Road Users Doubled in 25 Years

By Elana Schor | Dec 4, 2009 | 7 Comments

(Image: Subsidyscope) The myth that U.S. roads "pay for themselves" thanks to user fees is a subject that’s likely familiar to many Streetsblog readers — but just how much of the nation’s highway funding is provided by charging drivers? The answer may surprise even active critics of the current asphalt-centric transportation system. Between 1982 and […]

LaHood to Congress: It’s Time to Talk About a Gas Tax Increase

By Elana Schor | Nov 30, 2009 | No Comments

As Congress maneuvers to end the political impasse over the next long-term national transportation bill, lawmakers going to have to debate an increase in the federal gas tax, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Photo: Getty Images) In his remarks at a Fort Worth transportation meeting, first reported by the local […]

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