Louisiana pays 38.4 cents per gallon in taxes. Currently, 20 cents stays in the state.
According to this, Louisiana suppliers sell 6,918,600 gallons of gasoline per day. If my math is anywhere near correct, that amount of gasoline should generate $1,383,720 per day in road tax money.
Some of our legislators want to add an additional dime per gallon. For the roads. I thought that we paid goas tax already for the roads. What happened to that money?
Coming of the back of an horrific hurricane season and a devastating government imposed Covid crisis, I don't really think that any new taxes are a good idea.
3 comments:
When the gas tax failed in 2017, the DOTD decided to get into Public Private Partnerships. They put together a Request for Proposal for a new bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Belle Chasse, La. The PPP contractor got to charge a toll to pay some of his costs. As the bridge serves a parish road that has no other outlet except the Gulf of Mexico (Hwy 23), the toll will affect only the population of Plaquemines Parish and opponents claim the toll will stifle business development. Despite a concerted effort to change the project, it was awarded and will go forward. Passing a gas tax now would be double jeopardy.
Given the increase in average mileage, and the growth in electric vehicles, I'd like to see the fuel tax eliminated, at least for passenger vehicles. Under the current tax regime, the high mileage and electric vehicles aren't "pulling their weight". While they use the roads just like any other vehicle, by using less or no fuel, they're not helping to fund the roads they use. Essentially, they're free loading.
Instead of a fuel taxes, I propose an annual tax based on mileage. A simple odometer reading should suffice. In those states that have annual safety or emissions inspections, odometer readings could be recorded at that time for tax purposes. Not fool proof, but it does increase the effort needed to cheat.
"The PPP contractor got to charge a toll to pay some of his costs"
Some of the nicest roads I've driven on were paid for this way. It's a win/win.
"Instead of a fuel taxes, I propose an annual tax based on mileage."
I'd settle for using the fuel taxes for road maintenance as they were intended.
Interesting that where I live, Plano and Richardson, and every other city has pristine roads that they maintain properly. Yet, drift over the line to Dallas, and you're on a moonscape.
When I lived in the DC area, over 20 years ago, it was the same.
I, for one, would like to see where the money went before they rattle their cup for more.
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