A Second Federal Commission Pushes Fuel Tax Hike

5 January 2009 - 12:00pm

Exactly a year after the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission released its report calling for a fuel tax hike, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission calls for much of the same.

Well, the report isn't exactly the same. While the Jan, 2008 report by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended new revenue strategies, including "increasing the Federal gas tax between 25-40 cents (5-8 cents per gallon, per year), with the rate increase indexed and phased in over time", the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission would "add 10 cents more per gallon of gas and up to 15 cents more for diesel".

Both reports call for shifting from gas taxes to vehicle-miles-traveled fees with global positioning satellite systems to compensate for fuel-efficient vehicles that pay less gas tax, as well as alternative-fueled vehicles that may pay no gas tax.

The reports both advocate highway tolls and congestion pricing pursued by state agencies.

From Proposed Gas Tax Hike Draws Criticism"/5WTVH (Syracuse, NY TV)

"The commission is expected to release their recommended proposal to Congress by the end of the month."

Source: Takepart, January 3, 2009
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