The governor and some state legislators are contemplating a return to automatic gas tax increases so no one actually has to vote on the darned things.
A federal panel is calling for higher federal gas taxes.
Milwaukee Rising
From Milwaukee's West Side
This could be a good thing. Bear with me for a moment. Let’s go back to 1980 when John Anderson, Presidential candidate, suggested a $0.50 per gallon tax on gasoline to 1.) encourage conservation, 2.) encourage investment in alternative fuels, 3.) raise money for transit. Sound familiar? This idea will never pass but it’s fun to fantasize. We could increase the gas tax by $0.50 to $1.00 per gallon over three or four years and use the $$$ to fund the above ideas or plug it into “green” technology. Would it hurt? Is it regressive? Of course it is. the pain would be short term and we can solve the burden on the poor through other income transfers.
This is one of those good ideas that will never work.