Title: Congress Can Fix the Highway Trust Fund Without Raising the Gas Tax | Economic Intelligence | US News
Headings: The Road Not Taken
The Road Not Taken
Congress can fix highway funding without raising the gas tax.
OPINION:
SEE:

Content: Given huge federal deficits, the federal government cannot afford to continue doing this. But before resorting to raising the tax burden on the American public, Congress should explore ways it can free up more money for highway projects by reforming federal highway policy. [
OPINION: Congress Needs a Long-Term Solution for the Highway Trust Fund ]
More than 20 percent of fuel tax revenue goes toward purposes other than funding highway construction or maintenance. If the Federal Highway Administration spent less on those other purposes, billions more could be freed up for building and maintaining highways. For example, the administration could save $2.4 billion if the Highway Safety Improvement Program were eliminated and each state were permitted to decide how much of its own money to spend on safety improvement. The goal of the safety improvement program is to provide funds to help state and local governments achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. To receive funds, each state must create and update a Strategic Highway Safety Plan on an annual basis – and each state must collect data measuring the safety of its public roads. Each state also has an incentive to make its roads safer to benefit its residents and to attract tourists. If the Federal Highway Administration provides funds for safety, the federal government must decide how to divide the money between states.