Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

State Gas Taxes Head Higher (Here are the states with highest/lowest gasoline taxes/gallon)
Wall Street Journal ^ | 04/04/2013 | KEITH JOHNSON

Posted on 04/04/2013 8:56:34 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Maryland's decision last month to raise its gasoline tax highlights a trend taking shape across the country: States are increasingly opting to raise gas taxes and other fees to fund road repairs and maintenance.

Gasoline consumption is down nationwide, thanks to more fuel-efficient vehicles and the slow pace of the economic recovery. Gas taxes also have mostly stayed constant in nominal terms, even as the cost of road repairs and construction rises in line with inflation or faster. The combination means money for roads—usually drawn from gas taxes—is increasingly falling short of what is needed.

The gas-tax increases come on top of pump prices that have remained high. After briefly easing at the end of 2012, prices rose again early this year and are averaging about $3.60 per gallon nationwide for regular gasoline. Any state taxes raise the cost for strapped consumers.

Even so, some 17 states—including some dominated by Republicans—have enacted or are considering tax and fee changes to aid transportation budgets, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Virginia and Maryland passed new bills after more than two decades of inaction. Wyoming increased its gas tax to 24 cents a gallon from 14 cents a gallon, effective in July. Iowa is considering a 10-cent-per-gallon hike.

Texas is considering a variety of proposals. "It doesn't matter whether you're Republican, Democrat, tea party," said Texas state Sen. Robert Nichols, a Republican who is chairman of the Senate transportation committee. "Everybody recognizes the need for transportation funding."

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Iowa; US: Maryland; US: Texas; US: Virginia; US: Wyoming
KEYWORDS: fuel; gas; gastaxes; taxes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

1 posted on 04/04/2013 8:56:34 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind


2 posted on 04/04/2013 8:57:27 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

3 posted on 04/04/2013 8:58:16 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

4 posted on 04/04/2013 8:59:38 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind; Tolerance Sucks Rocks

... is there a day that Maryland doesn’t bring more consumer bad news?


5 posted on 04/04/2013 9:02:05 AM PDT by momtothree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

So Texas is the biggest loser in sending funds to D.C, and not getting its “fair share” returned. Where are you, Rick Perry???


6 posted on 04/04/2013 9:03:13 AM PDT by txrefugee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: txrefugee

Note which State is second. Yet all the time around here we hear about how all the Red States support California. This is typical for Federal taxes of all kinds. It’s the other way around but no one will admit it.


7 posted on 04/04/2013 9:06:34 AM PDT by SoCal Pubbie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: txrefugee

That map reflects accumulated stats from 1956 to present. I strongly suspect that Texas was a net ‘winner’ for the first 10 years of this century, and maybe even is today.

There were ALOT of highways built in Texas in the last 10-15 years.


8 posted on 04/04/2013 9:10:21 AM PDT by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

How could anyone guess this would happen?? What a surprise!!


9 posted on 04/04/2013 9:10:50 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: txrefugee

how can any conservative today still live in these anti gun, pro homosexual, high tax, even some socialist, many rules, no freedom, pro illegal cess pit states is beyond me.

When I got my wife out of MA she was struck how much freedom she had in FL, no emission check on vehicles, no inspection, can have back yard fires, fireworks legal , can buy beer and wine at gas stations, can smoke in most bars etc etc etc.


10 posted on 04/04/2013 9:12:05 AM PDT by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I lived in NY for about 2.5 years. When crossing from NJ->NY I made it a point to ALWAYS fill my tank with cheaper NJ gas.


11 posted on 04/04/2013 9:29:57 AM PDT by Gamecock ("Ultimately, Jesus died to save us from the wrath of God." —R.C. Sproul)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I live in NC one mile from the SC border.

I ALWAYS go directly across the SC border to the first gas station to take advantage of the 20+ cents difference in the cost between NC vs SC. All of it is state tax.

One mile north of my house, in NC, the price now is $3.67.
Go one mile south and its $3.42.

Even if I am very low while driving around Gastonia, NC I only get a few dollares worth to last me until I can whip it across the state line into Clover, SC.


12 posted on 04/04/2013 9:51:33 AM PDT by envisio (Its on like Donkey Kong!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: manc

“””how can any conservative today still live in these anti gun, pro homosexual, high tax, even some socialist, many rules, no freedom, pro illegal cess pit states is beyond me.”””

I not only hate these states, I even hate the city limits of some red state towns.

In the city limits, you cannot step on your back porch and shoot at something. I WILL NOT LIVE LIKE THAT. NO WAY NO HOW.

Another added benefit to cow pasture country where I live and raise my family is that the lowlifes/liberals/hippies/crackheads/gangbangers that normally dwell in big cities usually avoid places where alot of rednecks ride around on 4wheelers carrying rifles. We are not very diverse. Thats how we like it.

I don’t see how anyone can live in a big liberal city either, manc. I guess if I was a 22 yearold gay, athiest, tree-hugging, pot smoking, blog-writing, progressive, socialist, che tshirt-wearing, tofu eating, hippy, ‘arts’ student I would probably like it. I dunno.


13 posted on 04/04/2013 10:07:12 AM PDT by envisio (Its on like Donkey Kong!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: envisio

Ye olde Clover where I grew up and still visit. Haven’t been in Gastonia in long time.


14 posted on 04/04/2013 10:10:47 AM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert

I live about a mile up Robinson Rd. right past the old “stink plant” off 321 at the train tressel.
I drive down 321 to SC and stop at the BP station right across the border before you get to all the fireworks stores.

Love that country and have lived there for 44 years since birth. I have no desire to move anywhere else.


15 posted on 04/04/2013 10:22:04 AM PDT by envisio (Its on like Donkey Kong!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: envisio

I know your stretch fairly well. My folks and a couple of friends are on another side of Clover around the Jr high and has megaplexes.


16 posted on 04/04/2013 10:53:10 AM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: manc
I've got relatives who've lived in new england all their lives, and no matter how much I try to convince them they won't consider leaving.

"Its the same everywhere, day-to-day your life doesn't change, taxes even out to about the same everywhere, hey we've got colleges here..." Is the endless refrain. I always ask them how having 'hah-vard' in their general vicinity makes their life better in any way shape or form. I ask them how they can abide paying the higher taxes, because yes the taxes ARE higher, they try to insist "we make so much more money here." Never mind that the cost of living is also much higher.

Some people are just so hide-bound -- they've decided where they're at is best and thats that. Their minds are thoroughly mixed and permanently set.

17 posted on 04/04/2013 10:54:39 AM PDT by Wyrd bið ful aræd (Gone Galt, 11/07/12)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
"It doesn't matter whether you're Republican, Democrat, tea party," said Texas state Sen. Robert Nichols, a Republican who is chairman of the Senate transportation committee. "Everybody recognizes the need for transportation funding.

I don't. I recognize the need for taxes that fund the roads. I don't recognize the need for social engineering (subsidies for bus lines), for social consciousness (train and light rail subsidies), liberal playthings (even more subsidies, including carpool funding, access into carpool lanes for 'clean' cars, etc.)

There are two reasons why the 'transportation' budget keeps going up. First and foremost, drivers are being taxed for general fund expenditures such as light rail, buses, etc. Number two, because of increased demands on the businesses doing the work, including requirements for health care, 'living wages', minority employment, etc.

They are regulating the increased cost of building roads, and pillaging road funds to pay for their toys.

18 posted on 04/04/2013 12:17:11 PM PDT by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert

I meant HS megaplex on 55.


19 posted on 04/04/2013 2:19:20 PM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind; Abundy; Albion Wilde; AlwaysFree; AnnaSASsyFR; bayliving; BFM; cindy-true-supporter; ..

Maryland’s gas taxes will be going up, up, UP for those buses and choo-choos!

Maryland “Freak State” PING!


20 posted on 04/04/2013 6:48:56 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Drag Me From Hell!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson