Senate Dems push gas tax hike, tied to refunds.

[Panich52]

USA Today: "Democrats, contractors and unions are pressing Congress to raise the gas tax to fund the Highway Trust Fund despite opposition from key Republicans that makes any increase unlikely ... At a Wednesday news conference on the Capitol lawn, Boxer outlined a proposal to be introduced later this week that would reduce the effect of a tax increase by providing gas tax refunds to middle-income households."

More
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/15/gas-tax-highway-bill-unions-boxer/25848153/

[PoliticAverse]

1. So if you are poor and not 'middle income' you are just stuck paying the increased tax then? n/t

[Panich52]

2. I've long been opposed to gas tax as funder f/ infrastructure.

While it is a 'user fee,' it's also been a 'sin tax' since 70s. One big problem w/ sin taxes is that they tend to diminish. Between cost & more efficient vehicles, basing infrastructure upkeep on a diminishing source makes no sense. Other funding sources must be found.

Maybe that increase in capital gains tax could be put to infrastructure. After all, those gains would fall if goods can't be transported in timely fashion, or electric grid fails and businesses can't sell merchandise.

[PoliticAverse]

3. With the rise of alternative fuel vehicles some alternative to the gasoline tax must be found.

Preferably one that isn't regressive.

[Orsino]

4. We certainly should look beyond the gas tax for road funding...

...but if that line weren't held, the wealthy might have to start justifying their (relative) free ride.