I couldn't believe this when I first saw it. A state government is actually ACKNOWLEDGING one of the sources of the high prices for gasoline nowadays: TAXES. And they are even proposing to do something about it: repeal those taxes. At least for a short time. When was the last time you saw a government propose that people might know how to spend their own money better than that govt could? Naturally, liberals in the state Senate are doing their best to block the proposal.

But as government proposals go, this is earth-shaking. It's the most flatly conservative act I've seen from any government, since the Reagan tax cuts. Should be interesting to see what happens in three months. Will the people meekly accept a $.20/gal tax increase once this repeal expires? Or might we see a little bit of popular revolt?

People have been complaining about the oil companies making around $.10/gal on every gallon of gas they sell. That money goes mainly to stockholders - people with oil company stocks in their retirement funds, etc. Well, apparently the state of Texas currently adds $.20 to the price of each gallon, as taxes. The Fed govt does about the same.

Nice to see someone finally acknowledging that the charges of "unfair" may have been directed at the wrong people.

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Drivers could get a gas-tax vacation | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

May 9, 2007, 4:38PM
Drivers could get a gas-tax vacation
Texas House votes to halt 20-cent levy for 90 days, but Senate isn't yet sold


By GARY SCHARRER

AUSTIN — With pump prices surging toward $3 and possibly beyond this summer, the Texas House voted by a wide margin Tuesday to temporarily save motorists 20 cents a gallon every time they fuel up.

Call it "tax-free gas" for the summer driving season, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, said after the House tentatively approved his amendment 118-16.

But don't spend that savings just yet.

State senators also must vote for the measure before it can land on Gov. Rick Perry's desk. And they don't seem quite as enthusiastic.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said the suspension of the gasoline tax isn't a done deal, "particularly at a time when we're trying to find more resources to build highways and reduce congestion."

But Martinez Fischer remained optimistic the Senate will bow to Texans growing increasingly weary of higher gas prices.

"My constituents are saying, 'Gas is too high,' and I imagine the Senate is hearing from the same constituents," he said.

His amendment to a gas-tax collection bill would repeal the state's gasoline tax for 90 days, which would cost Texas an estimated $500 million to $700 million toward highway construction and public education. But the proposal would make up for it by sapping the $8 billion budget surplus, currently split almost evenly between money set aside for future school property tax cuts and the state's Rainy Day fund.

"That fund goes to times when we are in crisis and, right now, with gas prices through the roof, there is a crisis," Martinez Fischer said. "The last time I checked, that money belongs to the people of Texas."

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The Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than the system we're using now.

The Democrats know the GOP is going take back the house and the senate if they dont do what theyre elected to do! And Hillary has No Chance becoming president if she doesnt do her job. Remember what your boss says to you when you earn a promotion? He says you gotta work hard and do your job well enough to get a promotion. A private in the army doesnt become a Sergent unless hes a very good soldier. And Hillary has not shown shes willing do a good job for the american people.And Nether are the Rest of the Democrats.I can see Mitt Romey should be in the white house hes showing he can do a fine job for the american people.Hes shown it in Massachutes. He gave the People Health care,He cut taxes and He gave people Jobs. And Massachutes Children have the highest passing grades since he was governor. He made teachers held accountable when they dont do their jobs.So Hillary if you want any chance to sit in that chair in that oval office you must first raise your voice and say this right on the senate floor,,
CUT GAS TAXES!!!
Or its gonna be PAIN AT THE PUMPS=PAIN AT THE POLLS Part II

When people are hurting you can always count on the government to step in and save them. And then I woke up. I think this would be a great idea everywhere but I don' think the Pols would agree. After all, it's their money.

From where I work I could throw a rock into South Carolina. There is a gas station only a mile over the border and it is .20 cents cheaper everyday than those here in NC, specifically Charlotte. Think that's because it costs .20 cents more to deliver the gas an extra mile? I usually get my gas there and it is always packed with NC license plates.

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American by birth.
Conservative by the grace of God.

I believe that the gas taxes should not be lowered. On the contrary I wouldn't mind if they were slightly increased. I like saving money like any other guy but the roads here keep getting worse all the time. If, only IF that money can go towards repairing and possibly adding new roads I would like that. But getting rid of the tax is a bad idea if that money is going towards improving and building new infrastructure.

Except when it's government that's hurting them in the first place. As is the case far more frequently than you'll hear on the evening news.

Ronald Reagan said about big government's philosophy: "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

That man nailed it. No wonder liberals hated him.

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The Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than the system we're using now.

I'm for doubling, yes, doubling the gas tax. The money would be used to fund alternate energy. The higher gas prices are, the better it is for the environment since it serves as a kick in the butt for the industry to get their act together and start getting serious on alternative energy.

Acorn while it may seem like a nice thing for the government to do, the long term affects equate to giving a drug addict some drugs for a few more highs. The ultimate goal is to stop using the drugs, not to make them more affordable.

If you vote Democrat this is what you're voting for.

Varus

How do you like the highway system we have here in CA Acorn? I guess you wouldn't mind a few potholes on the 5, 8, 805 or 15 messing up the front end of your car - hey, at least you can feel great satisfaction in the fact that you're helping out the "little guys" that are holding Arco stock...

In your case I find I must agree. I'm genuinely distressed over the idea of you suffering from such a grave addiction (as you described it) to the money you earned. Tell you what. I'll get you the addresses of the state and Federal agencies where you should send these increased taxes. In fact, I'll even send you some pre-addressed envelopes. Every time you stop to fill up, just open your wallet a little wider, drop your added cash in, seal 'er up, stick on a stamp, and drop them in the mail.

No, no need to thank me. I'm happy to help you realize your dream. And now you can do it without imposing on the rest of us who might not agree with your desires.



P.S. Buck up a little more - the price of stamps is going up again soon. Enjoy!

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The Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than the system we're using now.

Acutally Acorn, the hike in the cost of stamps should delight your little free-market heart. The USPS receives no government funding for it's operations - it's self-supporting through the fees it collects for mailing your shit. And actually, it's government regulation, and government regulation alone that has kept you from having to pay $2.00 to mail a standard letter.

Now you know why Roads in Russia are so rough? Cause they spent their tax money on military. I rather spend on military then on roads and niggers on welfare who dont wanna work n sweat for a living.I rather live in russia thin here and drive on rough roads.

It always warms my heart when misguided liberals try to cite the Post Office as an example of "free enterprise".

Yes, the same post office which is one of the most rigorously government-enforced monopolies in the country's history. The same post office that has raised its rates at over three times the rate of inflation for the last ten years while providing poorer service. The same Post Office that charges over twice as much more per pound to deliver that 1st-class letter you mentioned, slower, than UPS delivers their stuff. And without any possibility of tracking its progress, of course - ask for that from a Post Office employee, and you'll just get a blank look. One even reminded me, "We're not UPS, you know."

But if you try to send it by those far more efficient competitors, you can go to jail for violating a variety of Federal laws. Laws without which the U.S. Post office would have to actually work for a living, or waste away, as it would practically overnight if it didn't get its act in gear.

You're right about one thing, though, manuel. The hike in stamp prices DOES delight my free-market heart... since it demonstrates for the umpteenth time how inefficiant and wasteful the Post Office is, compared to real shipping services that have to compete or die.

The only thing keeping the Post Office alive, is the set of Federal laws forbidding real delivery services from competing with them.

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The Constitution isn't perfect, but it's better than the system we're using now.

Oh Little Acorn...how blinded by your ideology you are. Do you actually believe that the cost of mailing a first class letter through FedEx or another carrier would be 39 cents if those other carriers had to make the capital investments necessary to handle the volume of mail the USPS handles in just a single day? In just one day, the USPS handles a greater volume of packages and mail than Fedex and UPS combined.

Your assertion regarding the USPS charging more than double what private carriers charge to deliver a first class letter is assinine given that the Private Express Statute enacted in 1979 that allowed private carriers to deliver extremely urgent letters stipulates that the carrier must charge the greater of $3 or twice the going rate to mail the letter via the USPS.

Here's a little test for you...go to the Fedex website and check the price of sending a .1 lb urgent letter within your zip code. In addition to the $4 base charge, you'll notice that you would be charge a residential delivery surcharge and a fuel surcharge. To send an urgent .1 lb letter to another residence within my zip code, it would cost me 6.08.

I work for a direct marketing mail house (ocdm.com). If you'd like to discuss your misguided ideas on how costly and inefficient the USPS is compared to private carriers with respect letter mailings, hit me up some time.

Heres another Solution.Raise Tolls on highways and Bridges to pay for the roads rather than raising Gas Taxes.Like My Idea create Toll Booths when you enter a state line like $4.00 when you enter a state so youll be taxing Road Tourist who come in your state.That would help pay for roads and new bridges. Plus add $4.00 toll when you enter a city that would help pay for new roads and bridges in the city.

Taxes serve two purposes. Raising revenue and discouraging behavior which is bad for the country. Our use of oil products is destroying our environment and is destroying our ability to maintain a coherent foreign policy. The day we cut our oil use to the point where we need none from the middle east is the day we can walk away from that cesspool forever and leave them to blow each other to hell. If high taxes can be used to help reduce our oil use or be used to fund alternative energy research then it will be worth every penny.

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A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed to the utmost extremes of injustice and oppression.
Edward Gibbon