PART 1: Why the U.S. Needs a Higher Gas Tax and Why it Will Never Happen - Ask Autoline #2

[timsvtgen]

Respectfully, the government had brought in record tax revenue in the recent years. We don’t have a income problem, we have a spending and appropriation problem.

[dpt]

An increase of a gas tax Will ultimately crush those with lower income and states that have no mass transit infrastructure. Also those who live in states with an extremely high tax on gasoline on top of the federal tax. Typically all those funds going to a general fund whereas that disbursement for any type of infrastructure is pennies on the dollar of revenue received. I happen to live in a state where the lack of focus is on pension obligation for state and town employees . There's not money to pay the bill now with government promises.

[lostinthekerf]

In 2005 - 2007ish when gas prices were hitting $4 a gallon in the US the consumer revolt was in full steam and people were selling used 3 & 4 cyl cars for a premium. The threshold may be a bit more now $4.50- $5 per gallon but not much more. Used EVs will sell at a premium if gas prices go up again. --- Very few people enjoy the car buying experience and will gladly switch to subscription/sharing/on demand once the price falls to equal to or lower than current car +insurance + maint. payments, that should happen once fully autonomous is wide spread.

[macberry]

Don't know if you realize it but gas isn't exactly taxed like sales tax when you buy a new pair of shoes, instead for every gallon of gas the state gets ten cents so even if the price goes up they still only get ten cents

[wsb]

According to Bloomberg: "The U.S. looks likely to overtake Saudi Arabia to become the world’s biggest oil exporter next year, according to Citigroup Inc. With American production surging to unprecedented levels as OPEC continues curbing output, the U.S. is on course to be the top exporter of crude and oil products in 2019, Citigroup said. American exports of crude oil and petroleum products rose to a record 8.3 MILLION BARRELS A DAY last week..."

[suggesttwo]

Some municipalities waste money. In Cornwall Ontario they repaved 2nd street W. and changed the sewer lines the year after.

[Steve-hhgsyoi]

Taxing gasoline is NOT the correct solution. Vehicles that use the roads MOST should pay a proportionate amount of the road and infrastructure repair costs. (i.e. trucks actually do most of the damage) The best and fairest idea is to tax vehicles according to their actual road usage, or miles of use.

[kyliefan]

I’d only support a tax if this goes to pay off the deficit or to pay for the EV credits.

[dlwatib]

BTW Title is not the same as registration. John should know the difference. Title is a one-time charge, registration is yearly (in most states). States will charge more for EV registration, not title.

[MichaelSmith-krqw]

If they raise the taxes on gasoline it will be pilfered by the Government for other idiotic uses beside putting it towards the freeway and roadway infrastructure . It is like the Tobacco tax or what some states call a Sin Tax the money is being used incorrectly also.

[Tware]

Here in South Carolina we already pay a gas tax. It's not much per gallon. It is suppose to be used for our roads. And our roads stink. The method of the road construction here is pathetic. Find a better ways to implement better road construction then a tax might be reasonable.

[snookysnax]

fracked wells have a fast decline rate, so the surplus may be a flash in the pan.

[juliancrooks]

Why increase gas tax, do our impoverished oil companies need more subsidies from the government?

[RonnieLeeDuck]

An increased gas tax is actually realistic within the next 10 years. There is going to have to be a major tax overhaul anyway in the foreseeable future. (And no, the tax law passed under Trump is not remotely close to any real reform). There needs to be a shift toward taxing wealth and consumption and away from taxing jobs. If you tell me that my job will be free of Fica taxes and I can have a $50, 000 standard deduction, then I would be happy to pay a higher gas tax. I think overwhelmingly most Americans feel the same.

Right now the politicians make it a self fulfilling prophecy that a gas tax will not be passed. They tie the tax to paying for building roads. A system that most Americans feel is corrupt. Its really just a regressive tax to finance tax cuts for the wealthy.

[suggesttwo]

Teach people what is true. Large and midsize cars are safer than trucks. Single vehicle crashes account the lions share deaths. The object most likely to kill you is a tree (and other solid objects roadside) not an SUV.

[johnborges]

You are right on the money that it is contradictory to demand higher fuel efficiency and maintain low gas prices that only encourage rational consumers to blow through the country's finite petroleum reserves quickly. If you believe in capitalism (and it's pretty proven!) then you know regulating by price (I.e. taxes) is the most efficient way to regulate. But as you say, it will never happen in the US, for the same reason that American infrastructure will always be neglected.

[dlwatib]

I plan to vote against all the Democrats that raised the gas tax in California. That should tell you where I stand on gas taxes. I understand the argument that John is making, but I plan to vote my pocketbook, and these high gas prices hurt me. And my pocketbook doesn't have enough change left over in it every month to go out and buy a Prius or whatever, I'm pretty much stuck with driving what I've got. If you want to get tax-happy, implement a gas guzzler tax on new inefficient vehicles. That's not going to hurt us poor folk who are already priced out of the new car market.

[jeff-jofs]

legalize weed and you got yourself good roads

[sliderfcs]

I unsubscribed because of this video. More taxes...? No... Better spending

[BrogeKilrain]

Think USA needs to spend gas tax on roAds not mass transit and general fund projects