While acknowledging that the 18.4 cent gas tax is insufficient to meet today's and tomorrow's transportation needs, LaHood said that increasing fuel taxes now would jeopardize the economic recovery.
Saying 'no' to increasing gas and diesel taxes and 'no' to a vehicle miles traveled fee does not leave many options opened to increasing funding through a 'pay-as-you-go' approach. Many members of the audience of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association were clearly displeased with this approach as they believe that "a gas tax hike remains the simplest and least costly way to beef up transport infrastructure funding".
"Appearing before a heavily attended conference in Washington, D.C., of the (ARTBA), Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood vowed "raising the gas tax is not an option" to increase money available for federal transport spending.
LaHood said a combination of current-level gas tax receipts, road and bridge tolling and President Obama's proposed infrastructure fund could offer a way to fund a long-term federal infrastructure program without new taxes."
Thanks to Mark Brucker
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