This is surprising me: DU is against a tax on driving cars to pay for infrastructure?

[herding cats]

202. I'm not sure if it's less regressive to pay more in fuel taxes or to pay a toll.

As it is now the average fuel tax in the US is 49.5 cpg for gas and 54.6 cpg for diesel. Of this amount 18.4 gas and 24.4 diesel cpg is federal. I can fully understand how that's not enough to fund the maintenance of the infrastructure. Something is going to have to be done to raise revenue.

Toll roads are one option and have the advantage of charging for the specific use of the roadways to be funded. Where as a fuel tax goes toward all drivers, even the ones who don't use the tollways. However, I think we should all be responsible for the upkeep of our federal roadways equally. Equally is the key word here. Those who live rurally may drive more, but many use primarily county and state roadways, yet they will be carrying a heavier per income burden with a fuel tax than those who are are actually using the interstates. But, I suppose the same is true now.

Then there's the problem with traffic flow if the interstates are subject to traditional toll booths. Stopping to pay is a nuisance, and does slow down traffic. There are ways around this with express passes, and mail in billing. These options come with problems of their own, however.

It seems the most cost effective method for the government would be the increased tax on fuel. It wouldn't require the additional cost of installing toll booths and manning them, or billing out for toll usage. However, I'm still not clear if this is the most fair method and then there's the problem with getting congress to pass an increase in the fuel tax. Haven't they refused an increase before in the past?

I suppose the best option here would be the increase in the fuel tax if we could get it passed. I wonder how likely it is they'd pass an increase in fuel tax? My gut says it's not very likely. Our current congress doesn't care about things like the Mass Transit Account and the Highway Trust Fund becoming insolvent usually.