Posted on 06/08/2008 7:12:58 PM PDT by EagleUSA
ATLANTA - All of the talk among political candidates about a federal gas tax holiday to offset soaring prices at the pump misses a critical fact: state taxes are, for the most part, even more costly for drivers.
And in some states, gas taxes are rising even higher, with a handful set to jump at the height of the summer driving season.
The average state sales tax on gasoline is 28.6 cents a gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute. That's a dime more than the federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents a gallon.
(snip)
The national average price rose Sunday to $4 for a gallon, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, though, drivers in many parts of the country have already been paying well above that price for some time. Gas prices are expected to keep climbing, putting greater pressure on consumers, businesses and state legislators.
(snip)
Some warn that cutting the tax revenue — even temporarily — can deepen the woes.
"There's a need here and if we don't take care of it will only get worse," said Patrick Natale, executive director the American Society of Civil Engineers.
(snip)
In the dozen or so states where the tax is tied, at least in part, to the price at the pump, the skyrocketing of gas prices has meant an unexpected windfall.
California, which has the highest gas tax in the nation according to a survey by the American Petroleum Institute, would rake in $5 billion this year if the price at the pump remains at $4 a gallon. That's more than double the $2.1 billion the state took in gasoline tax revenue in 2003, state revenue officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I know! Let's TAX our way to prosperity.
Glad I live in South Carolina, one of the lowest tax states.
Gas around here in Aiken County is in the mid 3.70s or so.
Interesting link:
http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx
2. No
3. You Betcha.
Well, we know that the dems want the economy in the tank by November and this is right on plan.
Our staunch Armed Forces are winning everywhere they fight (darn them /sarc) so we can't lose the war unless we surrender.
Oh wait, they've got that covered "How to Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory" by john kerry (served in Vietnam) and ted "Mary Jo on line 3" kennedy. Chapter 1 "Never Trust a democrat".
re. posting the profit per gallon ans the tax per gallon.
Right on! I’ve been tempted to go to my local gas station and parade up and down the street with a sandwich board sign reading “Gas $2.35 /gallon” in big letters, and under it “Plus tax” in tiny letters.
What dumb a$$es we are; no drilling in ANWR, no use of coal or nuclear power, no new refineries since 1969, restrictive EPA regulation. We deserve what we’re getting.
As far our taxes, however, we still have some of the lowest gas taxes in the world. Australia and Europe are laughing at us because they have been paying $4 a gallon for years now (it's up to about $6 now) BUT a healthy portion of that $2 difference is due to our low taxes.
I am doing my own gas-out day this next July 4th and every chance I get I am suggesting people think about it, if it can be organized large enough it will send a message, I would go so far as even park near a station asking for people to not buy gas or diesel July 4th, buy a day earlier but boycott fuel purchases on our national holiday.
And also this has a lot of information on how we have tons of oil.It is the enviro's, democrats and rino's that are keeping us from it.
We're merely reaping the result of misguided environmental policy, and Liberals in congress - whether we deserve it or not.
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