AAA Wants to Boost Your Gas Taxes?

Yes - the nonprofit organization representing 53 million motorists in the U.S. and Canada sees value in raising the gas tax to improve the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems. UPS, a major road user, agrees. But there are many detractors.

2 minute read

December 10, 2013, 9:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


“The country desperately needs additional funding for infrastructure and, for the moment, there is no better means than the fuel tax. The proposed increase is well overdue and in line with what most experts suggest would be appropriate,” stated Kathleen Bower, vice president of public affairs for the automobile club about H.R. 3636, written by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) that would almost double the current 18.4 cent gas tax over three years and tie future increases to inflation.

And she is far from alone, as we noted on Dec. 4. Inevitably, any attempt to increase taxes will encounter opposition, and Terry O’Sullivan, general president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, addressed it, reports Ashley Halsey III.

“It is time to be honest with ourselves and with the American people,” said O’Sullivan, who supported Blumenauer’s proposal. “Partisan rhetoric knee-jerk reaction and anti-tax extremism will not solve this problem or make it go away.”

Blumenauer encountered that reaction in a fiery interview with Neil Cavuto of Fox News who insisted that gas tax money and tolls go to other sources. The "lock box", as Cavuto refers to the Highway Trust Fund, goes the other way, though, with $50 billion drained from the federal general fund to subsidize road spending, as H.R. 3636 indicates.

Blumenauer's explanation that “with inflation and increased fuel efficiency, the average motorist is paying about half as much per mile as they did in 1993”, the last time the federal gas tax was raised, fell on deaf ears.

And reception hasn't been good with readers of the congressman's hometown newspaper either. According to a reader poll in The Oregonian, as of Sunday night, only 23% believe that Congress should raise the federal gas tax.

In Washington, D.C., it may not be faring much better. “Nobody, the administration, no Republican or Democratic leaders in Congress, have come forward,” said Blumenauer, reports WAMU's Martin DiCaro for Transportation Nation.

Last month we covered another gas tax bill introduced in the House and Senate, the Transportation on Empowerment Act (TEA) that reduces the gas tax to 3.7 cents in five years.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post