Page 26 - Arkansas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 6
P. 26
Despite the rabidly partisan charge motorists a per-mile fee, that’s a
political divides that exist today, infra- non starter,” Newhouse said.
structure spending has bipartisan The federal fuel tax hasn’t been
acceptance among voters as more than increased since the early 1990s and the
WHEN VOTERS KNOW half of those identified as Republicans, Arkansas Trucking Association is one of
A FEDERAL GAS TAX Democrats and Independents expressed many to support the idea.
their openness to the idea.
The American Transportation
INCREASE MEANS Research Institute, the nonprofit
LESS GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING IS research organization of the ATA,
BORROWING AND LESS POPULAR …IN THEORY released a report in early November that
The enthusiasm falls off, however,
DEBT BURDEN ON when actual means of funding improve- finds a gas tax hike is the “only mean-
ingful mechanism” to pay for infra-
FUTURE GENERATIONS, ments are discussed. structure improvements proposed by the
THEY CONVINCINGLY The idea of leasing highways was current administration.
AGREE WITH IT. opposed by 81 percent of the voters, Gas prices and concern about the
with 62 strongly against it. A hypotheti- state of the nation’s roads and bridges
cal motorist fee also hit a wall of oppo- are the two factors driving the data
—NEIL NEWHOUSE, PARTNER sition, with 80 percent against and 66 Newhouse said.
AND CO-FOUNDER OF LEADING percent strongly opposed. “No. 1, the relatively low prices
REPUBLICAN POLLING Opposition to tolls has softened people are paying for gas and the fact
COMPANY, PUBLIC OPINION since 2014, dropping from 76 percent to that gas prices have not been as volatile
STRATEGIES 61, and there is some support for raising as people have seen them in the past.
the federal gas tax, with 46 percent in … No. 2 is the increased concern,
favor and 53 percent opposed. increased level of concern, about the
“I think if anything’s going to be infrastructure, about the condition of
passed it looks like a gas tax. …If you the nation’s roads, highways, bridges,
etcetera.
SUPPORT VARIES INSIDE (AND
OUTSIDE) THE BELTWAY
“And I guess along with that
Americans are listening to their
political leaders talk about the need for
infrastructure renewal. They’re paying
attention to what Donald Trump has
to say.”
It is probably no great surprise that
divisions over the fuel tax are along
political lines.
Republicans, traditionally anti-tax,
show the strongest opposition to a fuel
tax hike, 62 percent, while 55 percent
Serving the transportation industry since 1982. of Democrats support it. A gas tax
increase is also opposed by 55 percent of
Independents.
While voters don’t seem to support
2725 Cantrell Rd., Suite 201 “meaningful” gas tax increase of 10-30
Little Rock, AR cents a gallon (33 percent support a
5-cent hike), support shoots up when
800-737-3037
Dill Brothers Insurance www.dillbrothers.com they are told it would only cost average
A Triangle Company drivers $2 a week.
When that is considered, support
Outstanding Service • Quality Products •Competitive Price has increased from 34 percent in 2014
to 55 percent in June. And the support
26 Issue 6 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
