Fuel Tax Increase 1/1/23

[moab_cj5]

As you vote this year for state representatives, be aware that many of the current leaders in the Utah State Senate and House have been in office for a LONG time, and don't always have your best interests in mind (surprised?). I am specifically unimpressed with Brad Wilson, the representative for my district and speaker of the Utah State House of Representatives.

You may or may not be aware, but State legislators in 2015 modified Utah’s straight gas tax by adding an indexed aspect to the gas tax. Many groups have encouraged legislators to eliminate, or at least suspend the indexed portion of the gas tax. Legislative leaders are opposed to suspending the indexed portion of the gas tax.

This means that January 1st, the Utah gas tax will increase by 4.5 cents to 36.4 cents per gallon for both gasoline and diesel. The 4.5 cents increase will equate to a 14% tax hike on gasoline and diesel.

When you're already seeing record high gas prices, they're about to get just a little worse. If you don't like this idea, call or write your representatives and ask them to repeal this needless increase.

Here is a link you can use to contact your representative. I encourage you to educate yourself, and vote for a candidate that best represents what you want in a government.

Contact the House | Utah House of Representatives

house.utleg.gov

 

[benjy]

ask them to repeal this needless increase.

I generally favor fees over taxation. While gas tax is certainly a tax not a fee, it is more closely tied to usage than other revenue sources that are used for road repairs/replacements.

Asphalt costs increase with oil prices, so it seems appropriate to me that the gas tax should increase when gas prices increase (I realize it’s more complicated than a sales tax, but in the long term the tax should track roughly with fuel prices).

Local govs receive a distribution of gas tax through the B&C road fund, but it doesn’t even cover the cost of filling potholes and restriping intervals, which leaves them generally funding major road projects - property tax.

I would much rather pay a higher gas tax than a higher property tax.

As an aside, I also belong to the no new roads camp, and that road dedications shouldn’t be used for non-thru street subdivisions. Why am I paying to maintain a cul-de-sac on the opposite side of town? Yes I have a local lens and UDOT has a bigger impact on this tax than any local gov, but it seems all problems should be solved locally first.

All of that said, I am interested in how the anti-tax group would like to see roads paid for?

 

[moab_cj5]

@benjy Im in favor of users paying an equal share of use. By that, I mean I don't support raising the gas tax when the growing number of EV users need to help pay for the maintenance/building costs of roads.

I am also not in favor of raising any taxes when the state has a surplus and already has plenty of funding to pay for projects.

I'm not anti-tax 100%, but am definitely anti government waste. I feel there are plenty of areas to cut government waste and improve core services and cut taxes. I also feel property tax use for roads is appropriate as the local government needs to maintain local infrastructure.

 

[nnnnnate]

Who do I write to complain about high gas prices and the cooresponding record high profits every oil company is posting?

 

[moab_cj5]

Who do I write to complain about high gas prices and the cooresponding record high profits every oil company is posting?

Biden and his all out war on the oil industry.

My advise is buy oil stocks that pay a dividend so you get some of those profits back. Then drive less, or more fuel efficient vehicles. Then vote for representatives that understand energy independence, and the need for oil and gas IN THE USA, instead of transferring our dependence to other countries that have the resources we need to go electric.

It's laughable that the government complains about high gas prices when the current administration has blatantly stated they don't want the Oil Companies to exist. Do these "leaders" really expect oil companies and gas stations to give away free product when they've already set the tone for the demise?

If we truly want lower prices, drill more. Get more crude from US reserves. The cost of Crude still represents the highest contributor to gas price. Next is taxes. Yes, profits are high this year, but that isn't always the case (I.e. 2020 when most oil companies hemmoraged billions). Do we really want to set the precedent of telling companies how much they can make? Sounds a lot like socialism or communism to me. Companies operate for profit, otherwise they cease to exist.

Some light reading for your enjoyment. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/what-drives-gasoline-prices-infographic/

Let's just socialize everything! It's worked really well for Venezuela and Cuba, right? Free markets only for products we don't care have record margins... Like software, cell phones, and cars.

Who do I complain to about the extreme costs and profits on Microsoft and apple products? What about $5 bottles of water?

 

[johngottfredson]

@moab_cj5, I think your first sentence should be on billboards everywhere. I even support people I generally like getting voted out of office after a few years. When people are in there too long, they become about protecting the status quo and getting cozy with all kinds of interests that aren’t necessary their constituents’.

 

[moab_cj5]

@moab_cj5, I think your first sentence should be on billboards everywhere. I even support people I generally like getting voted out of office after a few years. When people are in there too long, they become about protecting the status quo and getting cozy with all kinds of interests that aren’t necessary their constituents’.

Yup. Agree 100%.

I'm 100% in favor of term limits and ZERO lifetime benefits of serving in an elected position. You can't have one without the other or there is too much of a burden on the taxpayers (Exhibit A: California). Eliminate the incentive of career politician and we might actually make some progress.

 

[nnnnnate]

I understand for profit businesses and all that and didn't advocate for nationalizing oil production. It doesn't mean I have to be happy about what I'm being charged.

 

[johngottfredson]

I understand for profit businesses and all that and didn't advocate for nationalizing oil production. It doesn't mean I have to be happy about what I'm being charged.

Right. It’s not like the oil industry is an actual free market. If the feds are going to restrict availability of oil production, they can’t then turn around and say “sorry fellas, can’t do nothin about those high prices. Free market!” If they’re going to get into the regulation of supply, they have to take responsibility and make amends to keep pricing fair for the people that will be impacted by their political decisions.