The North Central Texas Council of Governments met in Denton to discuss transportation planning this week. A senior program manager basically alluded to the fact the gasoline tax needed to be increased to generate more revenue. Yeah, we know.
A UNT economist disagrees since the gas tax is "inflexible" and believes better fuel economy has lead to a decrease in demand. On the contrary, Mr. Smarty Pants. Until we ween ourselves off of gasoline, gasoline sales will remain the same or increase due to more people on the roads. Increased fuel economy has not lead to a decrease in demand. Sale volume has actually increased since 2003 in Texas. And in fact, as gasoline prices increase, the tax revenue does as well.
But we do need to realize the gas tax is a sales tax, and as sales do happen to decrease either by fuel economy or choice, it is not the sole option by which to fund a project. Multiple options need to be on the table and utilized. But don't get us wrong. We would rather pay more on the gas tax than on tolls. The gas tax is more fair and you spend less to achieve the same goal. Whether or not our elected officials have the foresight or political balls to come up with options other than selling roads to the highest bidder and tolling them remains to be seen. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not the best way to run things.
But we do need to realize the gas tax is a sales tax, and as sales do happen to decrease either by fuel economy or choice, it is not the sole option by which to fund a project. Multiple options need to be on the table and utilized. But don't get us wrong. We would rather pay more on the gas tax than on tolls. The gas tax is more fair and you spend less to achieve the same goal. Whether or not our elected officials have the foresight or political balls to come up with options other than selling roads to the highest bidder and tolling them remains to be seen. Putting all your eggs in one basket is not the best way to run things.
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