Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

Who Would Benefit From Eliminating the Federal Gas Tax?

We wrote recently on Streetsblog Capitol Hill about a proposal by Republican members of Congress to eliminate the federal gas tax and turn transportation funding entirely over to the states. This proposal — “devolution,” it’s called — has been a conservative dream for decades.

Atlanta's MARTA would not be possible without federal funding, as Georgia provides no support. Photo: ##http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2012/06/18/marta-might-have-a-friend-in-the-tea-party##Creative Loafing##
Atlanta's MARTA would not be possible without federal funding, as Georgia provides no support.
false

Transportation reformers tend to hate the idea because state DOTs on the whole are pretty intensely focused on highway building. One of the goals, as described by the Heritage Foundation, which is playing a leading role in promoting the devolution bill, is to allow states to forgo funding transit altogether. But some urbanists believe there might be a bright side to eliminating federal funding for transportation, since many highway boondoggles pursued at the state and local level are inspired by the promise of federal funds.

Today, Matt Johnson at Greater Greater Washington has some thoughts on what it might mean for one state in particular:

In Georgia, [bill sponsor Tom] Graves’ home state, the state constitution expressly prohibits the expenditure of gasoline tax revenues on anything other than roads, so without federal money, the Peach State would essentially only invest in highways. That’s actually not a huge change.

MARTA, which operates rail, bus, and paratransit in Fulton and DeKalb counties, is the largest transit agency in the country that receives no funding from the state government. Of course, MARTA was able to build their rail system using local and federal funds. But without the federal share, it would have been impossible.

Which is probably what Graves and Lee want. After all, the GOP has long suggested that investing in transit is a wasteful subsidy, while investing in roads is a sound investment for economic development.

According to Senator Lee, “Under the Transportation Empowerment Act, Americans would no longer have to send significant gas-tax revenue to Washington, where sticky-fingered politicians, bureaucrats, and lobbyists take their cut before sending it back with strings attached.” [emphasis added]

Of course, this isn’t accurate. According to a Government Accountability Office report from September 2011, both Georgia and Utah are winners in the transportation dollar lottery. Both states got $1.10 back in federal transportation dollars for every $1.00 they sent to Washington between 2005 and 2009.

Meanwhile, Yonah Freemark at the Transport Politic thinks states should play a larger role in construction and the federal government should play a larger role in infrastructure maintenance — a reverse of the way it works now.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Parksify considers the multifaceted importance of sidewalks as public gathering places. Bike Portland asks if inclusionary zoning is the key to keeping low-car neighborhoods in Portland economically diverse. And Bike Pittsburgh reports local residents are taking to the streets to demonstrate for safer walking conditions.

Photo: MARTA via Creative Loafing

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Do You Love Our San Gabriel Valley Coverage? Than Consider a Donation to our EOY Fundraising Drive

SGV Connect podcast, newsletter and news coverage gets better every year. Help us continue to grow by making a donation today.

December 12, 2024

Metro to Strengthen Station Fare Gates

Metro is installing taller stronger fare gates at ten existing station. New stations - starting with LAX - will also the feature them

December 12, 2024

Kevin de León, Agent of Council Chaos, Quietly Exits Stage Left

Disgraced Councilmember Kevin de León finally bows out, two years after his racist scandal roiled the city. Newcomer Ysabel Jurado, who handily defeated him in November, takes the reins of Council District 14 today.

December 10, 2024
See all posts