HB 2016-1046 - Gas Tax Act of 2016 (PASSED TO SENATE!)

[NeverAgain]

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Sponsor: Rep. LLR (Lab-NY)

I open this up for 48 hour debate.

[Enduro]

I don't support any tax increase, and to give it to the EPA? This is not a sensible idea.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

While I normally support increasing funding for environmental protection, the fact fuel prices are quite high gives me pause in supporting a  $.25 increase to an already high gas tax. For now I have to oppose this bill.

[NeverAgain]

To put this in perspective this will increase the Petrol Tax from 18.3 cents per gallon to 25. Raising $13B in new annual revenue, 40 percent ($5.2 Billion) of which (if this bill is enacted) will go to the EPA. This will increase the EPA budget by around 67% from its $8.3 Billion budget currently.

I support the raising of the petrol tax, especially considering how low fuel prices are (contrary to some on here's beliefs). And how little we pay for gas compared to the rates so many other nations pay. But I do have reservations.

I think that a raising to what it should be by inflation now, would be fine (somewhere between 25 and 28 cents). Of course, this must be over a lengthened period of time. I also think that raising the EPA budget this immensely would be worrying to those programs that need this money for their benefit. I would be fine with an increase of 2 or 3 Billion, but I feel 5.2 is too large a sum.

Therefore I propose the following Amendment:

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[Enduro]

How about we don't raise taxes, we don't give money to programs that shouldn't exist, and we lower spending?

[Anna Komnene]

It's worth thinking about the gas tax in historical perspective.  When the gas tax was originally passed two decades ago, the price of gas was much lower than it is today.  I know that's kind of hard to imagine, but it's true.  At that time, the tax represented about 40% of the price of gas on world markets.  Gas has nearly tripled since then, and now the tax represents only about 12%.  With the cost of maintaining highways going up, the gas tax no longer adequately serves it's original purpose, funding the Federal Highway Trust Fund.  It's only natural to consider an increase to fix that.  Static taxes don't make any sense.  You have to think about them in terms of the situation in the world and the goal behind them.  What is the point of having a gas tax if it doesn't adequately fund the infrastructure needs that it was designed to be used for in the first place?  Government doesn't just tax people for fun.  It's for a purpose, so we should either focus on achieving that purpose, or we should not tax at all.  In this case, I support having the tax, so I think an increase makes sense (note that even some congressional Republicans are on record as supporting an increase on the gas tax like John Thune and Bob Corker).

I propose the following amendment to Speaker NeverAgain's amendment:

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[LLR]

Your amendments are friendly

[Enduro]

How about a compromise? Keep the tax, but don't give it to the EPA.

[NeverAgain]

How about a compromise? Keep the tax, but don't give it to the EPA.

And why not? I really do not see how increasing a program set up to stop Environmental disasters and protect citizens of our nation from them, should not get a raise. Especially after the horrible tragedies in Flint (which still continue across our nation).

I am very much committed to the goal of fiscal responsibility and lowering the debt (as I am trying to do in our Budget Committee), but with that comes stopping potential costly health hazards, thwarting corporations with the intent of damaging our precious environment, and protecting the welfare of our citizens.

Also I wholeheartedly support Ms. Siren's amendment.

[NeverAgain]

Okay, working on where the money (19.7 Billion) should go.

$1.9 Billion to the EPA, as stated in the Bill.

$5.6 Billion to setting up an Infrastructure Bank (which I will be proposing later today)

$8.05 Billion to the Federal Highway Trust Fund

$500 Million to setting up a Paris Climate Change Accords Committee (again proposing later today)

$550 Million to my Zika Eradication Act (proposing)

and then $2.6 Billion to Deficit Reduction.

Sound good?

[NeverAgain]

Okay, I think now's a good time for a vote (going to send out a PM to keep up with the Atlasian House, that'd be a great reality show).

Final Vote, Aye, Nay, or Abstain (SAD!).

[NeverAgain]

Aye, of course.

[Classic Conservative]

Nay

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye

[Anna Komnene]

Aye

[Enduro]

Nay.

[Kingpoleon]

Aye!

[LLR]

Aye

[NeverAgain]

This passes for 5-2, and goes to the Senate. Thanks y'all for your prompt votes!