SB 2016-043 - Gas Tax of 2016 (Passed Senate)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am certain this is a very positive step.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Would it not be wiser to index the gas tax to the price of gas instead of inflation?

[Leinad]

Would it not be wiser to index the gas tax to the price of gas instead of inflation?

I'd suggest both.

A simple way to do it would be ensuring that the gas + the gas tax would equal the same amount, while an also-simple variation of that would be to set a minimum and maximum (i.e. gas price + gas tax = $2.50 in 2016 dollars, with a minimum of $0.10 in 2016 dollars and maximum of $0.30 in 2016 dollars, so in this example a gas price of $2.20 or below would have a $0.30 tax, and one of $2.40 or above would have a $0.10 tax--so the gas price-to-gas tax graph would look vaguely like a recliner chair). Some math tricks could probably make it smoother.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Also, which metric of inflation is going to be used?

This is very important because some measures of it do not move much with the price of gas, while others have a much stronger correlation.

[Leinad]

Anyone want to amend this bill or debate further?

[Leinad]

With alterations similar to those proposed by yours truly last year:

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Hopefully the last part makes sense, basically:

Gas Tax = $0.23 - (Price of Gas - $2.50) / 4

but only in cases where this:

$0.23 => Gas Tax => $0.08

also remains true.

Anyway, I think this is a good step to keep this from hurting everyday Atlasians should the price of gas increase. (I also cleared up the switch mid-bill from "gasoline tax" to "gas tax" for pedanticness's sake)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am favorable towards the idea of using this as an alternative economic benchmark for this.

Remember while it is true that raising the price (through a higher tax) would on paper decrease demand and serve to lower the price through those means, it must be remembered that this is a rather regressive situation. The poor and working folks typically drive the minimal amount necessary and also have the most limited options/alternatives for transportation especially in the rural and run down parts of inner cities (varies some have better mass transit than others). So they the cost in full while middle class and upper class people can cut out vacations or minimize unnecessary driving. I have seen this situation first hand.

My preference would be to minimize the regressive effects of the gas tax should the situation change and this bill is based on the premise that the current prices are rather low.

As for supply and demand the best ways to reduce demand is through technological efficiency and deployment of those technologies, which takes longer once again for the working poor but is the best way to long term reduce oil consumption generally and keep the oil prices low. As for supply once again that is being addressed by the R&D included earlier for extraction technologies as well as other research into alternatives.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I like Senator Leinad's proposed amendment.

[LLR]

Leinad's amendment is friendly

[Leinad]

The amendment has been adopted.

[Anna Komnene]

I would prefer some of the money raised go towards making sure the Federal Highway Trust Fund stays solvent, since that's been having problems for years and it makes sense to put the money people spend to use highways (gas) to use to make sure those roads stay safe and up to date.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I would prefer some of the money raised go towards making sure the Federal Highway Trust Fund stays solvent, since that's been having problems for years and it makes sense to put the money people spend to use highways (gas) to use to make sure those roads stay safe and up to date.

Would the remaining 35% go there be default, since this is the gas tax?

Only 65% is allocated by my count.

[Anna Komnene]

I would prefer some of the money raised go towards making sure the Federal Highway Trust Fund stays solvent, since that's been having problems for years and it makes sense to put the money people spend to use highways (gas) to use to make sure those roads stay safe and up to date.

Would the remaining 35% go there be default, since this is the gas tax?

Only 65% is allocated by my count.

Oh good point.  I was thinking no because it isn't specified, but I guess since this bill increases a tax that already exists, anything not specified probably gets tied to whatever the tax is already used for.  I guess I don't have any problems with it then.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So can this proceed then?

[Leinad]

I'll call a final vote tonight unless anyone objects.

[Leinad]

I'll call a final vote tonight unless anyone objects.

"tonight" is just a state of mind...

Anyway, I now open a 48-hour final vote on this bill.

[LLR]

Aye

[Anna Komnene]

Aye

[Leinad]

Aye ftr (the gas tax is a very libertarian tax)

[Leinad]

With 2 (or 3 if you're being forgiving with the voting period) members voting in favor, 0 against, and 4 (or 3) not voting, this bill has passed the Senate.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

My apologies - meant to vote in favor of this.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Once again, can Clyde be contacted about the topic lines.


Also, when these end in one chamber, is the leader PMing their counterpart?


I think it would be wise whenever a bill passes one chamber to notify the Speaker/PPT, VP and President.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

LEINAD!!!!!!!!


I even PMed you to look for these.

[Leinad]

I'll make sure to bring it to the attention of the Speaker.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I'll make sure to bring it to the attention of the Speaker.

Assuming more pass before I leave, I shall expect to see PMs with the others included from now on.