Yes, because the average American will save about $50~100 while Federal Highway revenues will drop by several $$$ billion.
10% (6 votes)
No, because the average American will save about $50~100 while Federal Highway revenues will drop by several $$$ billion.
18% (11 votes)
Yes, because it will really hit the oil companies and - no, wait they'll just crank up the price and stick it to the consumers!
2% (1 vote)
No, because Bill Sizemore and Grover Norquist like the idea.
2% (1 vote)
No, because it provides no real relief to most consumers while it loses money for highway maintenance, gee that feels good.
28% (17 votes)
No, because in the long run it accomplishes nothing.
20% (12 votes)
All of the above, except the part where it actually happens.
20% (12 votes)
Total votes: 60
A gas tax holiday isn't fair in more ways than one.
Thanks for posting this, Glen. Additionally, what about those of us that don't drive at all, but use on public transportation or other alternate? Personally,I will save no money. As a matter of fact, it will PUNISH people who use alternate transportation as our "gas prices" (bus pass, etc.) would stay the same, while people who drive will save a little money. (Emphasis on "little".)
Why is this such a really bad idea?
Let's do the math and see how this really pencils out.
Assume the Federal gas tax is $.18/gallon.
For the various gallons of gas a driver might buy in a week, the total savings for 13 weeks would be:
50 gal/wk = $117.00
25 gal/wk = $58.50
20 gal/wk = $46.80
15 gal/wk = $35.10
10 gal/wk = $23.40
Whooo-wheee! Now I can buy that big ol' mansion in Beverly Hills I been a-hankerin' fer!
Might be significant if one drove a commercial vehicle or a taxi, but for John/Jane Q. Public? Not so much I think.
Read this article from the NY Times which suggests lost highway revenues of about Nine Billion Dollars.
UPDATE: I forgot the part where consumers perceive a savings of some sort, so they don't reduce consumption, leading to increased demand and higher prices.
And more smog and GHG emissions.
Jeez this just keeps getting better and better....
All this was spelled out 20 years ago in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?:
"Cloverleaf bought the Red Car so they could DIS-MAN-TLE it!"
Glen Geller
Washco Dems Senior Pollster