Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
I've said it many times before, but funding infrastructure based on how much petrol is consumed is ludicrous. Funding it based on miles driven might be slightly less ludicrous, but it still is because everyone depends on infrastructure even if they don't drive at all.
Infrastructure funding should be secured the same way all the other things we consider to be vital government services; through regular means of tax collection (income tax or sales tax]
|
Gas tax is the only modern tax miracle pushing efficiencies to near 100%
Fees are rarely over 50% efficient meaning you need to collect more to get the same effect.
Because gas tax was always considered an energy tax that just happens to fund roads (even by those who wrote it)
It’s intent was maybe not environmental but it was hoped that it would benefit thrift and punish waste and excessive use which it does to a point.
Those who say it’s just to fund roads are mistaken and do a disservice to the amount of thought that went into a tax that was purposefully avoidable but not evadable.
The only real changes needed
1. Gas tax should go up and not be possible to write off as easily, trains must pay 100% for their infrastructure, semis should pay more to motivate change and drive costs onto shipments which changes the economic prospects of local suppliers among many other wide spanning issues, consumers who use the most freight will pay the most as they should
2. Other sales taxes, including perhaps a small supply side tax on crude, again big funding possible with perhaps a small effect on sometimes bad decisions made.
For good of the country registration taxes should be tiered towards size and impact, many non rural areas struggle with traffic and parking , motorcycles, mopeds and even smart cars, IMievs should either have non expiring plates or low cost and 4wd monstrosities that aren’t doing work should be taxed ski high
Antique 2wd manual transmission pickups should be given a pass but newer 4wd bling mobiles should pay.
Start structuring things with thought toward being the least regressive while helping make good decisions for your area and there is half a chance road funding will solve itself while changing the vehicle makeup on the road favorably