Congressman Tom Rice proposes 10.1 cent-per-gal federal fuel tax increase

[kscarbel2]

Transport Topics / July 9, 2015

Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) introduced legislation that would raise federal fuel taxes by 10.1 cents per gallon, and index the new rate to inflation as a way to ensure the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

The bill also would establish an income tax credit for individuals as a way to cover the additional taxes the average driver will have to pay annually.

“Our Highway Trust Fund isn’t funded and cannot be trusted,” said Rice, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The uncertainty this trust fund creates stifles investment from states and industry, and makes American businesses less competitive.”

The bill “will fund much-needed new roads on our congested highway system and will ensure that the condition of our highways will improve, encouraging investment and creating good-paying jobs.

Additionally, improvements to the system will reduce accidents and improve safety,” he added. The trust fund is used to back many highway and transit projects, and its funding authority expires July 31.

[41chevy]

Do you think there would be funding there if the Federal, State, Local Governments, the EPA, "grass roots" environmental groups and NIMBY's would cut back on the permitting process from multiple agencies for the same permits, demanding environmental impact studies, traffic and noise studies, impact on the elusive popoo fly? Again done from multiple private and public agencies and hiring lawyers to sue over all of the above.

Just look at the B\S.F. Bay Area Bridge. . . Politics,and NIMBY's were the driving force behind the seven years and over $1 million in studies. . .just to agree to replace the bridge! Five years for the Federal, State and City to do the impact studies to the tune of $12 million and 2 years and an additional $700,000 to select design proposals.

Do you think the fund would also be intact if there weren't IOU's for "borrowing" from it (like Social Security) ?