Fuel Taxes

Aerial view of freeway interchange in downtown Las Vegas

Restoring Solvency to the Highway Trust Fund

The Highway Trust Fund, the nation's source of road and bridge funding, went bankrupt in 2008 and has since relied on transfers from the General Fund to supplement fuel taxes. Republican Senators have proposed a new funding source: an EV fee.

October 15, 2023 - Transport Topics

Close-up of hand filling car with gas at gas pump

California Gasoline Tax Rises by 4 Cents

You might have missed it as legislators didn't vote on it—not this year, anyway—despite attempts by Republicans to suspend the increase.

July 6, 2023 - The Mercury News

Gas Pumps

ICYMI: 12 States Hiked Gas Taxes on Monday

On July 1, Illinois and Ohio increased gas taxes by double digits: 19 cents per gallon and 10.5 CPG, respectively, followed by California at 5.6 CPG, all due to legislation passed this year or in 2017. Diesel tax hikes were even higher.

July 5, 2019 - Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

Refueling

A Small but Significant Fuel Tax Hike for Arkansas

The 3 cent gas tax and 6 cent diesel tax increases are among the lowest of any states that have hiked fuel taxes since 2013, but combined with other revenue sources in the legislation, plus an upcoming sales tax ballot measure, it's historic.

April 20, 2019 - Talk Business & Politics

Electric Vehicles

Road Tolls Considered to Replace Declining Fuel Tax Revenues as EV Sales Grow

Iceland is thinking ahead when it comes to revenue losses resulting from its newly adopted "Climate Strategy" that calls for ending petrol-powered, fuel tax-paying motor vehicles by 2030. Widespread electronic road tolls are being considered.

January 30, 2019 - Iceland Review

Macron Protest

Learning the Wrong Lessons From France's Yellow Vest Movement

The widespread Yellow Vests protests, which initially involved hundreds of thousands of protestors in November, are wrongly being interpreted as a movement against carbon taxes and climate action, rather than a revolt against social inequities.

January 3, 2019 - World Resources Institute

Double Trucks

Movement Toward Mileage Fee Gains Momentum in U.K. with Truck Fee

British trucker calls for a level playing field with 'continental trucks' that may pay no diesel duty is one impetus for the vehicle miles traveled fee that would also consider emissions. The Transport Department stresses it would not apply to cars.

December 28, 2017 - The Times

Bike and Pedestrian Path

Funding Multi-Modalism

The new Republican Party Platform wants to stop spending federal fuel tax funds on walking, cycling, and public transit. That would be unfair and inefficient.

August 3, 2016 - Todd Litman

Car Graveyard

New Report Finds Drivers Pay Less Than Half the Cost of Roads

The new report, "Who Pays for Roads? How the 'Users Pays' Myth Gets in the Way of Solutions to America’s Transportation Problems" exposes the widening gap between how Americans think we pay for roadways—through user fees—and how we actually do.

May 6, 2015 - U.S. Pirg

Wisconsin Struggles with Interstate Tolling Option

State transportation leaders are scrambling to increase funding as MAP-21 draws to its expiration on Oct. 1. Interstate tolling is being eyed by more than a few. While the Wisconsin Assembly likes the idea, Gov. Scott Walker rejects it.

March 10, 2014 - Stateline

Transportation Reauthorization Funding Mechanism May Be Settled

How best to "plug the growing hole" in the Highway Trust Fund which provides the federal revenue for roads and transit: increase the gas tax, new vehicle miles traveled fees, more road tolls, or "corporate tax reform"? All but one is a user fee.

March 6, 2014 - Politico Morning Transportation

Smart Transportation Funding

Governments need money to finance transportation system improvements, but revenues from traditional sources are flat. This is leading to debate over how best to generate new funds. There are many possible options, some better than others, because in addition to raising revenue, they support other strategic objectives. Politicians will be tempted to choose the easiest funding options. It is up to planners to point out the best options, taking into account all impacts.

January 27, 2013 - Todd Litman

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