JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – For nearly a century, the gasoline tax has provided the financial foundation for the nation’s roads. For each gallon they pump, motorists have paid several additional cents in taxes to their state and federal governments.
That is still the case in most places. But as vehicles have become more fuel-efficient, gas tax revenue has plateaued. And the federal gas tax has lost more than one-third of its value to inflation since it was last raised to 18.4 cents a gallon in 1993.
As a result, state and federal officials are increasingly looking for alternatives to help pay for repairs and improvements to highways. Here’s a look at some of those ideas:
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FUEL SALES TAXES