News, LaHood's talk of mileage tax nixed. (Congress, spokeswoman, gasoline)

[John1960]

White House and Transportation spokeswoman say idea won't be used.


WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will not adopt a policy to tax motorists based on how many miles they drive instead of how much gasoline they buy, his chief spokesman said Friday.

LaHood's talk of mileage tax nixed - White House- msnbc.com

[odanny]

"What I see this administration doing is this — thinking outside the box on how we fund our infrastructure in America," he said.

LaHood said he firmly opposes raising the federal gasoline tax in the current recession.

The program that funds the federal share of highway projects is part of a surface transportation law that expires Sept. 30. Last fall, Congress made an emergency infusion of $8 billion to make up for a shortfall between gas tax revenues and the amount of money promised to states for their projects. The gap between money raised by the gas tax and the cost of maintaining the nation's highway system and expanding it to accommodate population growth is forecast to continue to widen.

Among the reasons for the gap is a switch to more fuel-efficient cars and a decrease in driving that many transportation experts believe is related to the economic downturn. Electric cars and alternative-fuel vehicles that don't use gasoline are expected to start penetrating the market in greater numbers.

I applaud anyone for "thinking outside the box", the oil companies have had us over their oil barrel for a century, and they literally made both domestic and foreign policy (gas guzzlers at home, war overseas) for far too long. Oh, yea, dont forget they also made record profits, too.