The Gas Tax and Carter On Social Security

Republican State Representative Mike Krusee wants to RAISE THE GAS TAX to pay for roads, House committee approves slew of tax bills:

The gasoline tax has not changed since 1991, and is set at a flat rate of 20 cents per gallon. Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, told lawmakers that because of inflation the state is short 40 percent of what it needs for highways and other projects.

Linking the tax rate to inflation would allow the rate to grow over time, rather than shrinking as the cost of living increases, Krusee said. The Consumer Price Index grew about 2 percent this year.

The increased gasoline tax is expected to generate as much as $50 million per year in revenue.

The gas tax will hit the poor harder than wealthy Texans, said Dick Lavine, senior analyst with the Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income Texans.

"We should focus on business and professional taxes, which would generate $6 billion and reduce the regressivity of sales tax a little," Lavine said.

Rep. Krusee sure does have a major itch for highway money. Aren't toll roads enough?

Carter On Social Security
Have you seen Congressman John Carter's Misconceptions: Social Security yet? He seems most concerned that you may be getting the wrong idea from an e-mail going around fibbing about how much he will get in retirement when he leaves Congress. I know that's the top misconception I have about Social Security.

Have you seen his article A Generational Challenge? He states his postition on private accounts as, "an idea that deserves serious consideration". He also uses the previously debunked as misleading claim that, "..each passing year adds $600 billion to the cost of fixing the system."