Now and again, talk of a higher national gas tax in the U.S. bubbles up into the discussion. Compared to the rest of the world, transportation fuel in the U.S. is pretty cheap, so there's a case to be made for raising it and to use the money to research more efficient vehicles and to improve public transportation. Of course, this is not a political easy sell, but something happening in the state of Georgia shows that progress is possible. Slow and convoluted, but possible.
Compared to other states, Georgia's motor fuel tax is very low, so the same cases for a higher gas tax can be made in the state. But local politics have stymied any potential increase, so both the current and previous governors decided that taking on more debt to build better roads was easier than raising taxes. But recent developments, including a new law that allows the governor to decide which roads will be built or upgraded with the gas tax money, mean that another American experiment in raising gas taxes to build better roads might get underway. Maybe.
[Source: Savannah Now | Image of Atlanta: kla4067 - C.C. License 2.0]
Compared to other states, Georgia's motor fuel tax is very low, so the same cases for a higher gas tax can be made in the state. But local politics have stymied any potential increase, so both the current and previous governors decided that taking on more debt to build better roads was easier than raising taxes. But recent developments, including a new law that allows the governor to decide which roads will be built or upgraded with the gas tax money, mean that another American experiment in raising gas taxes to build better roads might get underway. Maybe.
[Source: Savannah Now | Image of Atlanta: kla4067 - C.C. License 2.0]
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