The NY Daily News, which uses vast amounts of fossil fuels to deliver its dead tree edition, is super enthused to raise the gas tax to modify your behavior
This is the moment to hike the gas tax
President Trump recently floated the idea of raising the national gas tax to pay for a possible infrastructure program, but was rebuffed by congressional Republicans. The President is totally right, and Democrats should loudly and proudly stand with him.
It was an idea that was thrown out into the wind by Trump, then he moved on. But, hey, if Democrats want to push raising the federal gas tax, which will lead to a cost of living increase, I’m all for them doing that.
According to most experts, the recently passed tax reform package will increase the enormous federal deficit even if it boosts economic growth. Add to that a large infrastructure program and the problem will only get worse.
How can we deal with the deficit and address the rising threat of climate change as well?
I think they already told us. Taxation!
The U.S. now maintains a federal gas tax of just 18.4 cents — modest compared with most industrialized nations. Britain’s equivalent comes out to nearly $3.50 a gallon. The American tax, started during the Great Depression, hasn’t been raised since 1993.
Now, with gasoline prices much lower than they have been in past years, is a good time to do it.
It is rare we can kill so many birds with one stone.
Nearly all scientists agree that using fossil fuels causes climate change. They say we need to slash our greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80% or even 90% by 2050.
Making hydrocarbons more expensive will accelerate the development of alternative energy resources such as solar, wind and geothermal power by making them more cost-competitive. The world is moving toward these sources of energy; many countries now aim to eliminate the gasoline-powered engine in the coming decades. Major global cities are doing even more.
Democrats love their taxes. Funny how they don’t like giving up their own use of fossil fuels.
At present, hybrid models like the sleek Tesla or Prius remain too costly for many consumers. Raise the price of gas and they’ll become more appealing.
The Prius is well within the price range of the middle class. Many people choose not to buy it. The Testla’s, though, are above the price range of the typical middle class buyer.
Here comes the double edged bit to the policy proposal
If a gas tax is explained and developed well and implemented gradually — with credits to protect the poor, which are easy enough to build into any plan — it can be appealing across the spectrum.
So, first, artificially increase the cost of gas, which raises the cost of everything, making it harder for the lower and middle classes to afford to travel and purchase items. Then, give them some money from the Helpful Hand Of Government, making them even more reliant on government. Rather insidious.
