The entire idea behind fuel taxes (and why these taxes are not levied on off-road use such as farm fuel, like for a tractor or to run a threshing machine), was that fuel taxes are to pay for the roads and other infrastructure.
Typically for these kinds of articles, nowhere is the actual cost of maintaining the road system actually mentioned.
The reason is, that in many cases, the fuel taxes collected are far, far in excess of the money actually spent in maintaining the road and building new roads.
And most politicians love the slush-fund aspect of all the money that flows in, and the horse-trading that goes into determining how it is spent.
Also not mentioned and not included in the calculations: the thousands of dollars taken in on sales taxes, license fees, plate fees, etc. over the (let us say 15 year) lifetime of your average car.
The reason is, that in many cases, the fuel taxes collected are far, far in excess of the money actually spent in maintaining the road and building new roads.
Actually, you have this backwards[1]. The cost of maintaining roads exceeds the revenues generated by gas taxes.
In fact, the only transportation 'use tax' account that consistently runs a surplus is the federal Airport Improvement Trust Fund.
Are there other sources that discuss the cost of roads and bridges? One of the main arguments people use against high-speed rail in the US, for instance, is that it's not profitable, except in the North East between Washington and Boston.
Comments
The entire idea behind fuel taxes (and why these taxes are not levied on off-road use such as farm fuel, like for a tractor or to run a threshing machine), was that fuel taxes are to pay for the roads and other infrastructure.
Typically for these kinds of articles, nowhere is the actual cost of maintaining the road system actually mentioned.
The reason is, that in many cases, the fuel taxes collected are far, far in excess of the money actually spent in maintaining the road and building new roads.
And most politicians love the slush-fund aspect of all the money that flows in, and the horse-trading that goes into determining how it is spent.
Also not mentioned and not included in the calculations: the thousands of dollars taken in on sales taxes, license fees, plate fees, etc. over the (let us say 15 year) lifetime of your average car.
Actually, you have this backwards[1]. The cost of maintaining roads exceeds the revenues generated by gas taxes.
In fact, the only transportation 'use tax' account that consistently runs a surplus is the federal Airport Improvement Trust Fund.
[1] First hit on the Google: http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructur...
Are there other sources that discuss the cost of roads and bridges? One of the main arguments people use against high-speed rail in the US, for instance, is that it's not profitable, except in the North East between Washington and Boston.