Democrats gas tax strategy misguided
Give Florida's Democrats credit for trying. The irrelevant party has woken up from its self imposed exile to come up with a public relations strategy designed to take advantage of the rising gas prices consumers are feeling here in Florida.
While a reduction in the state gasoline tax will certainly help consumers in the short run, all Floridians will pay in the longer run. Proceeds from Florida's gas tax go to the Transportation Trust fund which funds road projects, such as the much needed expansion of I-75 in Collier and Lee counties as well as the completion of Orlando's beltway (the Western connecter from Florida's Turnpike southward past Windemere towards Walt Disney World) which helps keep traffic off of the already congested I-4. Speaking of I-4, much of the expansion project for that vital highway, which is the heart of Florida (I-4 is in many ways Florida's Main Street) is being funded by proceeds from the Transportation Trust Fund.
The Democrats are correct to point out that the GOP is tied to oil companies and other petroleum interests. Now what the Democrats need to do is step forward and promote mass transit and hybrid automobiles in the state. State Senator Skip Campbell and Rep. Ron Greenstein have taken the lead in promoting state tax relief for those who invest in hybrid automobiles. Mass Transit is also a must, as Florida is among the nation's most urban states, but also has some of the worst mass transit in the nation. Florida legislators should follow the playbook advocated by Former Miami Dade Mayor Alex Penelas who worked to pass an initiative expanding MetroRail and bus service in Miami-Dade County a few years ago.
The Democrats have the moral authority to make the case against big oil. Now they need to do it the right way.
While a reduction in the state gasoline tax will certainly help consumers in the short run, all Floridians will pay in the longer run. Proceeds from Florida's gas tax go to the Transportation Trust fund which funds road projects, such as the much needed expansion of I-75 in Collier and Lee counties as well as the completion of Orlando's beltway (the Western connecter from Florida's Turnpike southward past Windemere towards Walt Disney World) which helps keep traffic off of the already congested I-4. Speaking of I-4, much of the expansion project for that vital highway, which is the heart of Florida (I-4 is in many ways Florida's Main Street) is being funded by proceeds from the Transportation Trust Fund.
The Democrats are correct to point out that the GOP is tied to oil companies and other petroleum interests. Now what the Democrats need to do is step forward and promote mass transit and hybrid automobiles in the state. State Senator Skip Campbell and Rep. Ron Greenstein have taken the lead in promoting state tax relief for those who invest in hybrid automobiles. Mass Transit is also a must, as Florida is among the nation's most urban states, but also has some of the worst mass transit in the nation. Florida legislators should follow the playbook advocated by Former Miami Dade Mayor Alex Penelas who worked to pass an initiative expanding MetroRail and bus service in Miami-Dade County a few years ago.
The Democrats have the moral authority to make the case against big oil. Now they need to do it the right way.
posted by Kartik at 2:08 PM
5 Comments:
Mass transit in Florida? No way. I agree with you but after the way the legislators reacted to the bullet train and to any expansion in mass transit state money, you're barking up the wrong tree with these guys- they are shortsighted and just looking to the next election and office jumping, like your boy who is running for A.G. and is posturing probably on your advice on this issue.
Suspending the gas tax would be a stupid move. As it is, the buying power of the gas tax decreases each year (only state fuel taxes are tied to the Consumer Price Index, federal and local gas taxes are not indexed.) Also, state gas taxes in Florida are lower than many other states: 14.1 cents in Florida, 18 in Alabama, 16 in SC, 23.4 in NC, 20 in Louisiana, 18 in Mississippi, 20 in Texas, 20 in Tenn. Only GA, 7.5, is lower among the southern states. In addition, Florida receives a low return on gas tax revenue from the federal government. Under the new federal transportation bill, Florida only receives 90.5 cents for every dollar, while other states like New York receive over $2.00 for every dollar they collect in gas taxes. As you mentioned, the gas tax is the major source of transportation funding in Florida. If we cut that off, congestion will be even worse.
Higher Taxes and more Government. Typical Democrat!
There is more than enough money in the Working Capital Fund (from Jeb's vetoes) to cover the cost of a gas tax break without having to hurt transportation funding.
This was an interesting issue, because you had Democrats calling for lower taxes and Republicans, like Jeb in 2008, calling for higher taxes.
It's not really surprising if you look at who benefits from the parties' different economic proposals. Democrats claim to support lower taxes for the middle class and higher taxes for the wealthy. Republicans support lower taxes for the wealthy and higher taxes for the middle class.
And the prior post is correct. Jeb vetoed enough of the GOP's pet projects from the state budget to pay for this.
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