EV road tax

[giant_mtb]

That's the problem with private solutions though, there isn't enough demand in lesser populated areas to support the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure. Companies would rather just not bother if they were left to their own devices. Only USPS serves the folks way out in the boonies. UPS and FedEx refuse. Getting rural residents electrified and connected to phone service required regulation.

And this is Utah we are talking about, which is extremely rural.

I've delivered packages for FedEx as far as ~120 miles from the Marquette hub.  Granted, that was through a contractor that takes care of the rural routes, but they were FedEx packages nonetheless.

[Morris Minor]

Governments aren't going to let revenues disappear because people move on from the activities that are being taxed. You see it now in retail sales: brick & mortar store sales numbers have just been eclipsed by online stores. So states move on as well... and tax online sales.

Same will happen with EVs. The near-free ride window early adopters have had is closing... and states are going to find a way to make up the lost revenue from declining gas taxes.
Maybe separately meter EV chargers and tax the juice you use. The more you drive the more you pay. Where you charge the car, and where you drive it, is your business.

[Raza]

PA has the highest gas tax in the country and some of the worst roads.   The gas tax revenue gets diverted to pretty much everything except roads/bridges.

The PA Turnpike prices have become absolutely ridiculous.  It's horribly in debt and somehow legislaters passed laws that force them to contribute like $800 million a year to the state police despite being trillions in debt.

It's close to fucking $40 every time I go to Pittsburgh...each way!  Although, I will say the Turnpike itself is generally in good condition.

[Laconian]

It's close to fucking $40 every time I go to Pittsburgh...each way!  Although, I will say the Turnpike itself is generally in good condition.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111

[CaminoRacer]

It's close to fucking $40 every time I go to Pittsburgh...each way!  Although, I will say the Turnpike itself is generally in good condition.

That's what you get for going to Pittsburgh.

[NomisR]

Gas tax alone I think PA wins, but gas + sales, CA is #1, and will be more once cap and trade begins..

[SJ_GTI]

I think NJ has mostly been the opposite...using general funds to cover the deficit between spending on roads and the gas taxes. They raised the tax a little a couple years ago but I still think they use general funds for roads.

[RomanChariot]

It's close to fucking $40 every time I go to Pittsburgh...each way!  Although, I will say the Turnpike itself is generally in good condition.

I abhor toll roads so about 8 years ago while traveling from New York City to Cherry Hill, NJ I set the navigation to avoid toll roads. I don't remember for sure what road it put me on but I recall it being a concrete road that had been patched heavily with asphalt. The asphalt had been laid down in such a manner that I wonder if it hadn't been crapped out of a elephant as it crossed the road. The effect was such that it felt like I was hitting a speed bump about every 50 feet going down the road. On the way back I paid the tolls on the freeway. I guess if you let every other road go to pot people are much more willing to shell out the toll money.

[CaminoRacer]

I think NJ has mostly been the opposite...using general funds to cover the deficit between spending on roads and the gas taxes. They raised the tax a little a couple years ago but I still think they use general funds for roads.

I applaud that. Although gas tax should just be raised to cover it all, assuming that the budget isn't going straight into someone's pockets.

I've learned that I'm just not a fan of the Utah state legislature. They're always meddling in stuff and think they know better than everyone else.

[SJ_GTI]

I applaud that. Although gas tax should just be raised to cover it all, assuming that the budget isn't going straight into someone's pockets.

I've learned that I'm just not a fan of the Utah state legislature. They're always meddling in stuff and think they know better than everyone else.

Well, its NJ so I assume at least 10% the spend on roads is actually just going to the mob. 

[AutobahnSHO]

I applaud that. Although gas tax should just be raised to cover it all, assuming that the budget isn't going straight into someone's pockets.

I've learned that I'm just not a fan of the Utah state legislature. They're always meddling in stuff and think they know better than everyone else.

Dude that's government everywhere!!!!   Legislature should write law and otherwise guide the overall work of the different departments, but the departments generally know what works and what doesn't.

But then seeing all the sloths where I work (some pull really nice paychecks for minimal (or no, or negative) work)...

[NomisR]

Well, its NJ so I assume at least 10% the spend on roads is actually just going to the mob. 

I think it's a lot more than 10% based on this.

https://reason.org/policy-study/23rd-annual-highway-report/maintenance-disbursements-per-mile/

I want to think that the number was a typo but it seems to hold true for previous years as well..

[Laconian]

Cost of labor is extraordinarily high in WA state because of the construction boom.

[CaminoRacer]

Cost of labor is extraordinarily high in WA state because of the construction boom.

Utah is getting the same way. Local school district tried to pass a bond bill in November for a few new schools & repairs but the voters shot it down. Just means it's gonna cost even more next year or 2 years from now when they finally get the approval... Like 25% more, probably.

[SJ_GTI]

I think it's a lot more than 10% based on this.

https://reason.org/policy-study/23rd-annual-highway-report/maintenance-disbursements-per-mile/

I want to think that the number was a typo but it seems to hold true for previous years as well..

Based on that i had it backwards...90% is going to the mob.

[FoMoJo]

Based on that i had it backwards...90% is going to the mob.

You either got really good roads or a lot of guys leaning on shovels.