ROADS/BRIDGES: Measure will call for an increase in the federal gas tax

Dec. 3, 2013

So apparently there is talk of raising the federal gas tax in Washington. Well, at least one person is chattering.

 

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) has introduced legislation that calls for a 15-cent increase in the 18.4-cent-per-gallon national gas tax. The measure matches what was outlined in the Simpson-Bowles budget reform.

 

The last time the federal gas tax was increased was 1993, and the current tax brings in about $35 billion a year. MAP-21 funds road and bridge work at $54 billion, with a chunk of the money coming from the federal general fund.

So apparently there is talk of raising the federal gas tax in Washington. Well, at least one person is chattering.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) has introduced legislation that calls for a 15-cent increase in the 18.4-cent-per-gallon national gas tax. The measure matches what was outlined in the Simpson-Bowles budget reform.

The last time the federal gas tax was increased was 1993, and the current tax brings in about $35 billion a year. MAP-21 funds road and bridge work at $54 billion, with a chunk of the money coming from the federal general fund.

Blumenauer is expected to officially make his call for an increase in the federal gas tax on Dec. 4, and will most likely face heavy resistance from a Congress that has quickly rejected any such notion in the past.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Champion Flame Shield® Phenolic Conduit Guide

Learn how Champion Flame Shield® Provides a Safe Solution in Fire Sensitive Applications

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

See how fiberglass conduit stacks up to the competition in crucial areas like weight, corrosion resistance and installation cost.

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.