Throughout the United States, concern is being raised over the deteriorating condition of the nation's roads and bridges. High-quality roads are essential for safe and fast commuting, the transport of freight, and the delivery of goods. Yet years of deferred maintenance, politicization of investment decisions, and diversion to other uses of funds raised for roads have resulted in declining road conditions and rising congestion.
Gasoline taxes are an ineffective, regressive tax which has increasingly left transportation systems shortchanged. In recent years, the rise of fuel-efficient cars has decreased motor-fuel tax coffers and disproportionately shifted the burden to low-income drivers, a group that typically owns older, less fuel-efficient vehicles.
Gas taxes also disproportionately shift the burden to low-income drivers, a group that typically owns older, less fuel-efficient vehicles. According to Americans for Prosperity, households with incomes of less than $50,000 per year currently spend more than 20 percent of their after-tax income on energy. Although gas prices are comparatively low today, there are no assurances they will remain this way, whereas the gas tax hike would be permanent.
The fact gas taxes have not increased over time does not mean they need to be increased now. Gas taxes are a regressive tax hike which Wendell Cox and Ronald Utt argue has a stronger effect on lower- and middle-income families than it does on the wealthy. The tax could also cause low-income families to drive less, which could reduce employment options. Americans for Prosperity estimates lower gas prices amount to approximately $100 in additional spendable income per month for an average family, which means the recent nationwide drop in gas prices could potentially lead to an additional $100 billion of economic growth.
In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith argues when infrastructure is constructed and maintained using user fees and decentralized, new construction occurs only when market demand justifies it. Legislators should take a look at the inflated cost of public construction projects in their states before they allow any tax or fee hikes.
One option states should consider are public private partnerships (P3). P3s are a contract agreement between a public sector authority and a private party under which the private company provides a public service or project while taking on a substantial portion of the risk involved with the project. Transportation P3s offer several advantages, including improved access to capital, flexibility and improved innovation.
The Heartland Institute's experts on transportation policy issues are available for legislative testimony, speaking engagements, and media interviews.