Gasoline tax best road fix

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: June 26, 2008

It is not going to be a smooth trip.

Fundamental differences between Republicans and Democrats at this week’s special legislative session on transportation funding create a pothole so deep you could crack an axle.

Before the General Assembly can fix the state’s deteriorating roads, it must first patch up its own differences.

But it looks as if the Assembly is splitting, as usual, along partisan lines, with Senate Democrats willing to look at a variety of tax increases — spread among sources to reduce their impact — to raise vitally needed money; and the House

Republicans already voting down some tax proposals, instead pinning their faith on the money-saving properties of efficiency reforms to the Virginia Department of Transportation and partnerships with private developers, including private construction of toll roads.

Meanwhile, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine did not go to bat for one tax that could significantly boost transportation revenue — a straightforward, easy to administer gas tax — in his proposed transportation package.

Gas tax reform exists, however, in a pair of Senate bills.

Yes, with gasoline prices rising, it’s a heck of a time to talk about raising the levy — which is why Gov. Kaine didn’t take the political risk.

But Virginia has a long way to go before it can rightfully argue that its gas tax is unduly burdensome.

The tax hasn’t been raised in decades, so as a percentage of the total cost of a tank of gas, it’s actually lower than it’s ever been. The gasoline tax has not kept up with inflation, much less been “increased” relative to inflation.

This is why the commonwealth lags so far behind in necessary highway construction.

The gasoline tax helps fund highway projects, but while inflation has boosted the price of construction and maintenance, tax support has not been allowed to keep pace.

No wonder the state has had to pull money from construction funds just to try to keep up with maintenance needs.

Here’s another way to index the gas tax. Only nine other states have lower gasoline taxes than the commonwealth. Virginia isn’t even near the median point. Surely the current figure of 17.5 cents a gallon can drift moderately up without damaging the state’s economy.

No proposal under consideration would place the full burden of increased transportation funding on the gasoline tax, which would merely be part of a comprehensive strategy. But it is an important part, because it is a dedicated funding source.

Both tolls and the gas tax are user fees that have the advantage of ensuring that those who actually use the roads help to pay for them. But tolls are problematic because they tend to push cost-conscious drivers onto non-toll roads, creating new congestion.

The gasoline tax is simple, straightforward, efficient and democratic. It remains an important solution to our transportation woes — even if the General Assembly and the governor can’t see that right now.