Enjoy Low Gas Prices While You Can…Because New Taxes in These States Might Wipe Out Your Savings

IJ Review ^ | 1-31-15 | Kevin Boyd

[ThethoughtsofGreg]

American drivers have been enjoying low gas prices lately. According to AAA, the national average price of gas per gallon is $2.03 for regular, compared to $3.29 this time last year.

Also happy with low gas prices are state governments, but mainly for different reasons: politicians in certain states see low gas prices as an opportunity to raise the gas tax.

Here’s a map of the states currently considering an increase in gas tax:

[Doogle]

politicians in certain states see low gas prices as an opportunity to raise the gas tax.

..AFTER PILFERING THE STATES HIGHWAY TAXES THEY NOW WANT AN INCREASE ON GAS TAXES BECAUSE OF LOW PRICES. (Note: no mention of reduced taxes when the price goes up again)

[Blood of Tyrants]

Politicians just can’t stand it when taxpayers get to keep more of their own money.

[BlueStateRightist]

Interesting how a majority of these states could be classified as RED.

[needmorePaine]

What a shock that New Jersey is among those states! I am just floored.

[Star Traveler]

At least Oklahoma is near the low end of the gas taxes, and they’re not considering raising it. Of course ... we pay a LOT OF TOLLS in this state! Just about every direction out of Tulsa ... there is a toll road!

[Star Traveler]

A map of the various states and their gas tax ...
http://www.gasbuddy.com/USA_Tax_Map.aspx

A listing of the same ...
http://www.gasbuddy.com/Tax_Info.aspx

[jughandle]

Hey in the last week prices here jumped nearly $0.15...I thought one of these taxes was slipped in!

[Paul46360]

Idaho: A showdown is looming between Republican Governor Butch Otter and the Republican state house over the gas tax. Governor Otter supports an increase while legislators are balking.

[Carriage Hill]

PA surpassed CA in 2014 as the worst gas taxed state, and even more is to come this and next year.

[needmorePaine]

Oh, I know! I know all about it. I think one State Assemblyman is behind it at this point. They a new “revenue source” to replenish that transportation fund. Otherwise, the roads and bridges will turn to dust. There was a commercial last night talking about New Jersey’s crumbling infrastructure with the voice of a little girl singing “London Bridge is Falling Down.” It was creepy.

[TomGuy]

Last Wednesday, gas was $1.63 in my area.

Last Friday, it was at $1.85.

Wednesday, it was $1.99.

[Logical me]

If this shi! keeps up and you know gas prices will increase we will be paying over $5 a gallon in a few months. Watch! And the price will never go back down. Look for $10 a gallon in 5 years. And your wages will not go up from what they are here now.

[MadIsh32]

Time to take the bus. Walk. Ride a bike. Work from home.

If a man in Detroit can walk 2 hours plus each way to work, certainly we can

[Red_Devil 232]

I thought gas taxes were per gallon? So if prices are low then more gallons are sold. Lots more taxes collected. They raise the tax then the price per gallon goes up which in my mind means less gallons sold = less taxes collected in the long run.

[onona]

Ping for later

[Mastador1]

Gas in my area has gone up twenty cents in the last week.

[Dr. Sivana]

What a shock that New Jersey is among those states! I am just floored.

NJ is actually one of the lowest in the country. That said, if they raise it too much they will lose revenue from NYers who purposefully fill up in Jersey to save 30 cents/gallon. Those who go on long vacation/business trips in the region will be sure to fill up in New Jersey.

[Mastador1]

I thought gas taxes were per gallon? So if prices are low then more gallons are sold. Lots more taxes collected. They raise the tax then the price per gallon goes up which in my mind means less gallons sold = less taxes collected in the long run.

Maybe if we really did have a strong economy, but we don't so lower prices are are a negative impact because A. there are less people working and B. there is less money to be spent on gas = C. less gas sold sold falling tax collection.

[needmorePaine]

NJ is actually one of the lowest in the country. That said, if they raise it too much they will lose revenue from NYers who purposefully fill up in Jersey to save 30 cents/gallon. Those who go on long vacation/business trips in the region will be sure to fill up in New Jersey.

True about the relatively low gas taxes, but I was referring to NJ's love of taxation in general.