Could a gas tax holiday be imposed in Pennsylvania as prices at the pump continue to rise?

[russau]

GREED IS IN CONTROLL OF EVERYTHING WE USE !

 

[Trezurehunter]

Gas in and around the town I live in is at $4.99. That would be considered Northern Illinois about an hour South of Chicago, you know, our state Capitol !

 

[djackson7348]

This notion is also being floated for national taxes. Problem is the roads still need to be paid for and this idea would either kick the can farther down the road or shift those costs to something else. Or the roads are neglected now with no future correction.

Why should someone else pay for the road users today? Our debt is already out of control so adding to that is nutz.

High costs reduce use and repair rate. That is reflected and adjusted for in the use tax.

We need to stop exporting and demand the oil companies quit windfall profiteering on this unnecessary, poorly planned and insanely idiotic war prosecution.

What you say about the oil companies is true but, don't forget that they have been prohibited from building any new refineries for many years now so "our" stupid, virtue signaling policies left them few options of what to do with US oil. Why would you keep it here if you are not allowed to refine it here?

 

[doverturtle]

You couldn't pay me to drive an electric car. Not practical in this part of the country (among many other reasons).

I drive 12 miles each way every day for work. An electric car is perfect for that. I have gas powered cars for longer trips.

 

[doverturtle]

A lot of people stop the electric cars after it starts freezing.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. If you are implying electric cars don't work when it gets below freezing, that is absolutely not true. I have driven mine in -10F with no issues, only reduced range.

 

[Assembler]

I'm not sure what you mean by this. If you are implying electric cars don't work when it gets below freezing, that is absolutely not true. I have driven mine in -10F with no issues, only reduced range.

Electric vehicles typically experience a 20% to 40% decrease in range when temperatures drop below freezing. This is primarily due to two factors: the slower chemical reactions in the battery at low temperatures and the increased energy consumption for heating the cabin.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

What you say about the oil companies is true but, don't forget that they have been prohibited from building any new refineries for many years now so "our" stupid, virtue signaling policies left them few options of what to do with US oil. Why would you keep it here if you are not allowed to refine it here?

10% is a lot.

'As of May 1, 2026, the U.S. refinery utilization rate is 90.10%. This is higher than the long-term average of 89.70%.'

 

[Carl-NC]

I remember when Ross Perot ran for president he proposed a 50c/gal federal gas tax at a time when gas was a hair over $1. People freaked out. He wanted to use the tax to pay off the federal debt and to also to encourage us to move away from a petrol-based economy. He was absolutely right on both counts. Oil is a limited resource and the market is full of Bad Actors that we constantly have to deal with for no other reason than to keep oil prices in check. The worst thing we can do now is to abandon renewable energy projects and encourage more oil consumption, yet that is exactly what we are doing. Draw pistol, aim at foot, fire.

 

[OBN]

You live in Maryland they want to pass a new (Mileage fee) bill, they feel with all the new cars getting better gas milage they are loosing money for less gas is being purchased. Totally insane, taxed and fee'ed to death, even more crazy.. you leave the state there is a tax on the sale of your house for leaving...

 

[russau]

Wel it looks like I'll never be going back to Maryland ! I was stationed there back in the late 60s in the Army for a short time before I went to RVN !

 

[Mackaydon]

What chance is there that Newsom will take even a cent off the California gas tax?
And even if Trump adds cutting the Fed entirely, we'll still be paying more at the pump.
(This is not offered as a political discussion, only one of numbers.)
Don in SoCal

 

[Assembler]

What chance is there that Newsom will take even a cent off the California gas tax?
And even if Trump adds cutting the Fed entirely, we'll still be paying more at the pump.
(This is not offered as a political discussion, only one of numbers.)
Don in SoCal

The numbers will speak for them self's I say.

 

[djackson7348]

You live in Maryland they want to pass a new (Mileage fee) bill, they feel with all the new cars getting better gas milage they are loosing money for less gas is being purchased. Totally insane, taxed and fee'ed to death, even more crazy.. you leave the state there is a tax on the sale of your house for leaving...
View attachment 2253431

Ever notice that it is "blue" areas always looking to take more tax money? When they get it, they piss it away on things to buy votes instead of improving the lives of all their constituents.

Roads and bridges need to be maintained and that cost money, but they are in the worst condition in the highest taxed states.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

Ever notice that it is "blue" areas always looking to take more tax money? When they get it, they piss it away on things to buy votes instead of improving the lives of all their constituents.

Roads and bridges need to be maintained and that cost money, but they are in the worst condition in the highest taxed states.

Do you have any sources for all that? Federal roads are maintained by federal taxes. Federal road taxes are the same nationwide, far as I know.

 

[Snookie]

Have you ever entertained the premise that the oil companies may be gouging us? Supposedly prices will "drop like a rock" when this fracus is over--I'm dubious of that.

 

[BennyV]

Have you ever entertained the premise that the oil companies may be gouging us? Supposedly prices will "drop like a rock" when this fracus is over--I'm dubious of that.

Oil companies don’t set the price.

 

[BennyV]

Ever notice that it is "blue" areas always looking to take more tax money? When they get it, they piss it away on things to buy votes instead of improving the lives of all their constituents.

Roads and bridges need to be maintained and that cost money, but they are in the worst condition in the highest taxed states.

Bingo. Anyone remember when they told us that once the bridges (Throgg’s neck) were paid for they’d remove the toll? I do. It’s still there 60+ years later.

 

[Carl-NC]

Roads and bridges need to be maintained and that cost money, but they are in the worst condition in the highest taxed states.

I've driven in most of the states and the one that stands out as having the worst highways was Arkansas. I've driven on better dirt roads in Georgia.

Federal roads are maintained by federal taxes.

The interstate highways belong to the states, and are maintained by the states.

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

I've driven in most of the states and the one that stands out as having the worst highways was Arkansas. I've driven on better dirt roads in Georgia.


The interstate highways belong to the states, and are maintained by the states.

So what? How are they funded and where does the federal fuel tax go?

 

[AU Seeker]

I've driven in most of the states and the one that stands out as having the worst highways was Arkansas. I've driven on better dirt roads in Georgia.


The interstate highways belong to the states, and are maintained by the states.

So what? How are they funded and where does the federal fuel tax go?

Federal gas taxes as well as federal tire taxes pay for 80% to 90% of the cost to maintain interstate highways, the states pay the rest.

The states' Department of highways do the actual work.

"Interstate highway maintenance is primarily funded by the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which collects revenue from federal excise taxes on motor fuels (18.4 cents/gallon for gasoline, 24.4 cents/gallon for diesel) and taxes on heavy trucks/tires. While federal funds cover major repairs, states also contribute through state-level fuel taxes, tolls, and general funds to complete projects. [1, 2, 3]
Key Funding Sources:

• Federal Highway Trust Fund: Established in 1956, this fund provides the majority of financing, with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) overseeing the distribution of funds to states for Interstate maintenance and construction.
• Fuel Taxes: Federal taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel provide roughly 85% of the Highway Trust Fund's revenue.
• Other Vehicle Taxes: Additional funding comes from taxes on heavy trucks, tires, and trailers.
• General Fund Transfers: Because fuel tax revenues have not increased since 1993 and fuel efficiency has risen, Congress has frequently transferred money from the general fund to keep the trust fund solvent.
• State and Local Contributions: States contribute to maintenance through their own gas taxes, registration fees, and tolls. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Structure of Funding
The Interstate system is generally maintained through a partnership where federal funding covers about 80% to 90% of construction and major rehabilitation costs, while states pay the remaining 10% to 20%. [1, 2]
Current Challenges

• Declining Revenue: The federal motor fuel tax rate has not been raised since 1993, meaning it has not kept pace with inflation or construction costs.
• Electric Vehicles: The rise in electric vehicles (EVs) means fewer drivers are paying gasoline taxes.
• Solvency Concerns: The Highway Trust Fund faces chronic shortfalls, with depletion projected by 2028"