An editorial in the Spokesman-Review today points out that a gas tax isn’t the answer to our transportation budget problems. Jeez, I feel like I’ve posted this ten times before. I think everyone gets it now that less gas is being purchased due to high gas prices, more fuel efficient vehicles, alternative modes of transportation, etc. so adding more gas tax isn’t going to help a whole lot. Now the question is, what to do to make up the revenue that’s not going to come from the gas tax? So far all that’s been done is debating potential other forms of income. While I drown myself in pesimism today, you can go ahead and read the editorial and give me any great ideas you may have.
Street (not highway) construction is funded primarily through property and sales taxes, not gas taxes or licensing fees. I'm sure you were already aware of this. (Yes, bicyclists and pedestrians subsidize driving.)
– Ventura
Yep, knew it. And not only do bicyclists and pedestrians subsidize driving through their property and sales tax, but most also own at least one vehicle, thereby also paying for roads through gas and registration taxes. Public transit is also paid for in part through sales tax, so even if you who don't own a car you're still kicking in to support SOME kind of transportation. So does that mean shopping is the solution to our economic and transportation problems? 🙂
We might as well pay according to income/profit as a percentage. It avoids the regressive sales tax (the poor paying the highest in proportion to income) and is probably simpler in terms of admin.
I can't think of anyone who doesn't need transportation. We all benefit from a great multi-modal system.