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Lose the User Fee Mentality
Earlier, I overlooked this press release quote from Rep. Nick Rahall, ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, while reading the reports concerning this week’s Graphic Friday post. Emphasis is mine:
Instead of being consumed by the parochial ‘donor’ and ‘donee’ debate, this GAO report confirms that Congress should be working toward crafting a surface transportation bill that meets the needs of a 21st century national transportation system. Using rate of return as our rationale for how we spend our limited transportation dollars simply detracts from the national focus when we ought to look at the larger picture and determine what investments best help create American jobs and grow our economy.“
Smokey, We Have A Deficit
Graphic Friday
Through 2005-2009 every state received more Federal-Aid Highway dollars than it contributed through fuel taxes & other fees. Our grand experiment is not a user paid system and probably shouldn’t be. As well, the money that is collected tends to support highways over local streets–thus subsidizing suburbia/sprawl and focusing funding on large arterials.
Related:
- All states are “donees” when it comes to highways (Greater Greater Wash)
- New GAO Report: All States are “Donees” When it Comes to Highways (StreetsBLOG)
- All States Now Receive More In Highway Funding Than They Pay In Federal Gasoline Taxes (Think Progress)
