Federal gas tax revenues have been dedicated to the Highway Trust Fund for over half a century by law. The Fund provides roughly $36 billion each year for highway, road, bridge, and public transit infrastructure and maintenance.

Eliminating the tax for even three months will either require the federal government to provide funding through other means or to foist funding responsibility on the states. If the feds or the states make up the funding through other means (selling interest-bearing bonds or raising other taxes or fees), we will still pay that same amount through another avenue. Smoke and mirrors = no savings.

On top of that, most states are facing budget deficits this year; if the feds dump funding responsibility on the states, some states might decline to make up the shortfall. Jobs that depend on those billions of dollars would simply be eliminated, pushing the country farther into recession. $36b x 1/4 year / 50 states = $180m on avaerage per state is not chump change.

Bottom line: Either we pay that same amount through some other revenue category at the federal or state level, or we pay higher unemployment compensation payments, suffer through the economic ripple effect that would hit transportation infrastructure-related industries, and accept a decrease in aggregate fuel efficiency as highways and roads deteriorate incrementally.

AND...the federal gas tax is only 18.4 cents per gallon. Will anyone anywhere in the country really change their job commute or their Jellystone vacation plans if they'll pay $3.05 versus $3.23?

AND...all of this presupposes that prices would go down at the pump. States like Illinois and Indiana that in the past tried cutting their state gas taxes over the summer oddly saw the price at the pump stay the same. You might almost think that the petrol companies jimmied their prices up a wee bit in an amount equal to the tax cut.

Verdict: It's election year, and McCain is playing the pandering shell game.

Posted By Lee Bolin on April 17, 2008, 1:43 AM

Will I change my job commute? Not a chance. But when you consider that I put roughly 3000 miles on my car each month for work, and I'm getting 30 miles per gallon, that's an $18 savings on my monthly commute based on the 100 gallons of gas I go through in a month.

Show me the money!

Posted By DC on April 21, 2008, 12:09 PM

Although I have very little knowledge in the area of the gas tax, it does seem very risky to eradicate a tax on such a precious commodity at this particular time. It certainly does seem like a populist measure. Any way to make Lee's reasonable voice heard and discourage this eradication?

Posted By Tafline Laylin on April 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

Oh no you don't - not another one of my favorite magazines getting caught up in taking political sides. Please don't!!!! I can't take it anymore!!!!

Posted By A on April 21, 2008, 12:13 PM

I would be very glad if someoen got rid of the gas tax for the summer.It would help us. For those who think its best for fewer drivers to be driving..All I can say, if you feel that way don't drive stay home.

Posted By debby on April 21, 2008, 12:14 PM

Saving people money in this tight economy is important. The independent truckers are suffering more than most but everyone drives to work and it is really hurting the working class. Your reasons that the FEderal government cannot afford it and the price will not go down is flawed;remember when the Stores tried to up their prices prior and after the hurricanes...many are out of business now due the the negative publicity!!!EVERYTIME WE ARE OFFERED A TAX CUT, IT"S A POSITIVE DIRECTION FOR THIS COUNTRY. I am not a Mc Cain supporter.

Posted By Shay on April 21, 2008, 12:16 PM

Cute Idea! But it has been oh so painfully evident since the first oil embargo in the early 1970's that something had to be done to free us from the oil shackles! Why over 30 years later are these jack____s still trying to stick bandaids on the problem? Yeah, sure, suspend the gasoline tax! They'll just get the money from us somewhere else!

Posted By Garibaldi Smittone on April 21, 2008, 12:18 PM

Eliminate the gas tax for the summer? It's bad for the environment and bad for the consumer. The only thing this bad policy is good for is contributing to global warming. McCain should know better unless, of course, he's really pandering to the oil companies. The solution? Take the bus, subway, carpool, ride a bicycle, or walk to work.

Posted By Marilyn on April 21, 2008, 12:21 PM

Why do the prices of gas have to go up just when the demand is higher? Would it be better if the oil companies lowered their profit marjins for the summer?
The economy of many states depends on the summer travel business.
Yes, pollution is a problem and maybe shorter trips would be wise, but lowering the gas prices anyway possible would help more than it would hurt.

Posted By Kim on April 21, 2008, 12:21 PM

As a general idea, I like it. Gas prices have leaped too fast for the hourly wage earner to keep up. But the important link is that this increase has caused pricing on all other goods to increase - after all, most of those goods got to the market using a gas-fueled vehicle getting roughly 4mpg. Maybe just suspend the diesel tax for the summer?
It's very shaky, kinda like trying to solve the problems in Darfur by sending a medical team to Afghanistan. A good idea, but not applied to the correct area.

Posted By Cynthia on April 21, 2008, 12:21 PM

Of course it's pandering Erik. But, if you truly think it is a matter of "the earth's sake," perhaps you should stop driving and vacationing regardless of the gas tax rate!

Posted By Filly in Filly on April 21, 2008, 12:22 PM

It is time for the government to take over the oil industry and limit profits. The government went after Ma Bell when she was a monopoly, but the oil industry pays the Republicans and Democrats so there will be nothing done.

Posted By marge on April 21, 2008, 12:31 PM

Does McCain really think we will end up saving that $.18 per gallon at the pump? The oil companies will raise the price. And our infrastructure is in terrible shape. We don't need tax cuts. We need responsible spending. The oil companies and OPEC control the price and they already know how high they can go before people cut back. They will squeeze everything they can out of us. If we want to drop the price of oil, increase the gasoline tax by $1 a gallon (the actual price probably will go up by much less than that as demand is reduced)and then give each of us a tax credit for gasoline.

Posted By Lynn C on April 21, 2008, 12:31 PM

Please, let's not "teach" our fellow Americans to conserve by over-taxing! If we can afford, as a nation, to drop or lower the tax--then let's do it.

Posted By Paula on April 21, 2008, 12:32 PM

any time you can put money in to the publics pocket is OK with me..most of the gas tax money goes to more than just the highways..its called pork..if we knew that all that tax money would go just towards our highways, I would think twice about McCains idea..unfortunatly Washington does a very poor job of spending our tax dollars..Clinton told us in 2006 that if we elected Democrats to Congress, gas prices will go down..we did and the price of gas has more than doubled..now she telling us this again that she has a plan..I have a bridge in Brooklyn and some land in Florida if anyone is interested and believes her.. and we should beleive what she and others tell us?..don't think so

Posted By gene kolkhorst on April 21, 2008, 12:36 PM

www.fairtax.org

Do we have any smart politicians out there????

Posted By kellie on April 21, 2008, 12:47 PM

What we need is more domestic oil production. We will never see the low oil prices we were accustomed to in the past without becoming more self-reliant for our energy needs. Also, our infrestructure is not in terrible shape. I know this because I work in the transportation industry. There are some problem areas, but these are generally within certain states which I will not name. This is due to their choice of budgetary expenditures.

Posted By Kasey on April 21, 2008, 12:50 PM

I live in CA - home of the $4.00 gallon... And it's not about "Not taking a summer vacation", it's about "Will I be able to get to work?" We don't have a great transit system here, we DO have a really high Cost of Living with wages that are not commensurate, and in order to afford to LIVE we have to work outside of the city... Which means DRIVING a distance...
So, how nice for all of you who have the luxury of being ubber concerned with saving some emissions - I'm concerned with feeding my family at this point! I know people who are literally in the position of missing hours at work because they can’t afford to fuel their cars.
$0.18 per gallon is better than nothing, and since NOTHING is what the rest of those OVER-SPENDERS in politics seem to offer us, I'm all over that $0.18!
HELLO ANWR!

Posted By Torrey on April 21, 2008, 12:51 PM

McCain's plea to abandon the federal sales tax on gasoline for the summer months is not only silly pandering that would not only add to oil company profits but would deny funds to infrastructure repair. McCain should be reminded that taxes are the price we pay for civilization.

Posted By David Hendrickson on April 21, 2008, 12:51 PM

Repealing the gas tax is a bad move. The gas tax provides a large portion of the Highway Trust Fund. A fund that will be bankrupt very soon. Repealing the tax will cause that to happen even quicker.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0807/081607nj2.htm

Unfortunately spending has overrun the monies collected in this Fund. As mpg have gone up, gas tax revenues have declined. Sure there are more cars on the road, but that means more roads and more maintenance of those roads because of the higher volumes. In the end, there needs to be more money.

Many opponents of federally funded mass transit claim they shouldn't have to pay for a system they do not use. Truth is, user fees collected for roads do not cover the entire cost of the road projects. Other tax funds have been paying for them. What does that mean? People that don't use the roads are paying for them through other taxes.

Americans have become accustomed to cheap oil. Globalization and industrialization of countries like China and India have raised the worldwide demand of oil and unfortunately this finite resource maybe reaching it's maximum output levels. This would undoubtedly generate higher gas prices.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/57933

The tax needs to stay, at least for now. People that want to use the roads need to pay for them. Repealing the tax gives them a free pass and this shortfall will be picked up by the general tax funds, whether they drive or not. Yeah I drive a lot too, but it's my choice to drive and I have to pay for the gas that goes into my car and the roads that I drive on. Of course as soon as we start paying for roads by vehicle miles traveled I think the gas tax should be removed, assuming it is enough to cover road expenditures.

http://www.planetizen.com/node/25269

Posted By Dave on April 21, 2008, 12:59 PM

Erik - how did you get your job? how would you promote the idea of summer travel - shall we all walk? The government makes a fortune from these taxes - taxes which are far too high - and McCain is suggesting a suspension of these taxes for the summer. "For the earth's sake", you say. Who's being the "populist" now, Erik? Keep your personal politics to yourself and just send us the deals on travel -

Posted By anthony on April 21, 2008, 1:01 PM

Please, let's not get political on us! During the next six months, we are going to be bombarded with promises and "solutions" from BOTH sides of the aisle. The situation is indeed serious, but our country always comes up with ways to deal with crisis. In the meantime, each of us has the responsibility to make a difference on the side of demand and conservation of resources.

Posted By Betsy Hoffman on April 21, 2008, 1:05 PM

There is never a bad reasson for reducing or eliminating taxes

Posted By Alan on April 21, 2008, 1:05 PM

No one can predict with certainty what the effect on the Highway Trust Fund might be if Federal Highway Taxes are suspended for the Summer, with one exception: it won't be felt until several years down the road. 2008 projects have been funded and appropriated.

We just came back from a road trip to CA from AZ and I-10 auto traffic was as light as I have seen it in 25 or 30 years. The trickle down effect to businesses that depend on travelers, and the communities where those businesses are located, will mean a loss of revenue and the subsequent loss in taxes that come from that revenue.

Companies, cities, counties, states, and ultimately the Federal Government, will all feel the effects of the rising price of gas.

Right now, many families are doing cost benefit analysis of how they arrive at their summer travel destinations. These families do not care about the Highway Trust Fund. They want to get the best deal possible for their vacation dollars. Considering the mess that the aviation industry is experiencing, eliminating the Federal Gas Tax might just be enough to make the difference in driving vs flying this summer. For us, saving $50 to $100 is worth not having to put up with the hassle of flying, then renting a car, etc.

We support the temporary elimination of the Federal Gas Tax as a way to stimulate the economy, especially for lower to middle income families.

Posted By David Talbot on April 21, 2008, 1:08 PM

I'm with A. You're a travel magazine, not political. Keep those opinions to yourself and for goodness sakes please keep the 'greening' nonsense to a minimum as well. The climate change-global warming hype has gotten completely out of control. It has become an overkill, buzz word which doesn't help the cause at all.

Posted By Bill on April 21, 2008, 1:28 PM

Travel information, Mr. Torkells, not politics, is what your readers seek. Let's not unnecessarily blur those lines.

Posted By Doug on April 21, 2008, 1:30 PM

what a scam! robbing us directly so McCain can get votes!!!
Raise gas taxes and pay up front what we pay through subsidies to the oil and gas companies-via Democratic and Republican politicians-otherwise known as lobbying.

institute mass transit!!!

Posted By Bernard Eckholdt on April 21, 2008, 1:30 PM

Every little bit helps. Working families need relief even if it just a few cent per gallon. With Airlines wasting fuel on flying near empty planes; pop and mom driving the kids to a National Park should be of little consequence.

If you buy into the politics of Global Warming than by all means stay home turn off the air conditioner junk the car, and recycle your magazine by using it as toilet paper.

Posted By Julio on April 21, 2008, 1:32 PM

Cutting out the gas tax is a pretty desperate measure if you ask me. And doesn't solve anything, even in the short term. It's like 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'....

Posted By D from Solvang on April 21, 2008, 1:32 PM

Any tax cut is a good tax cut. It is even better if there is a corresponding cut in government expenses (fat chance). It is our money, not "the governments".
Here's an idea: Drill in any place in the US that has oil (including Alaska, annoying a couple caribou is not a big deal), promote nuclear power, and let the market drive costs.
By the way, Marge, you need to get into a basic economics class, maybe a government class while you are at it. Nationalizing the oil companies would be a disaster beyond anything you have seen yet. Remember when ATT was a "regulated monopoly"?
High long distance charges, no choices, stagnated technology. Competition drove prices down and gave us a huge number of choices for service. AT&T, by the way, could not survive. What now is known as AT&T is another company that bought their name.
You really want the same clowns who bring us an incomprehensible tax code to run an oil industry?

Posted By DanD on April 21, 2008, 1:32 PM

Wake up and smell the coffee
Dropping the gas tax for the summer is a great idea -- one all travel people should endorse.
McCain would do well to campaign for a bill designed to cover our gas needs for all times, using Alaskan and offshore reserves.
Approved, it's a lease on the White House.

Posted By Charles Deal on April 21, 2008, 1:34 PM

Well I wish they would do that, I plan on only going to places in my state, Colorado, and if they do not, I cannot afford to go see our local Renaissance festival in Larkspur or take my son to Elitch's (I live out of the eastern plains). Those places will suffer if people cannot afford to go there

Posted By K Lovering on April 21, 2008, 1:34 PM

Love the magazine and e-letter, but please stick
to travel and stay out of politics!

Posted By Tom G on April 21, 2008, 1:49 PM

PLEASE!!!!
Everyone stop with the idiotic Global Warming lie!!
Why do you think they keep changing the name and the statistics?!!

Remember one rule in this country...
Politicians don't do ANYTHING unless there's a profit involved.

Global Climate Change + A naive citizen who wants to stand for something = $$

Posted By Rob on April 21, 2008, 2:02 PM

Shhhh-Bush hears we have money in the Highway Tax Fund and that's gone, too. Everything in this country is so badly broken-how long before we fold? Schools suck-no child left behind-should have been-not too far behind, paychecks don't cover the cost of driving to work, paying child care, buying groceries or the clothes to wear to work. Let the politicans sit back; they don't have to worry-we also pay for their fuel, clothes, homes, cars, child care, medical care and insurance costs. When you don't live it -- you don't see it or believe it is so bad. Fire them all, reelect some and fire them if they don't get off their behinds and do something for the rest of the USA. Bush should have been gone a long time ago. His presidency will be remembered for going after Bin Laden and what else??!!

Posted By debi on April 21, 2008, 2:04 PM

I agree, keep the politics out of this travel publication. However, since you mentioned it, in California where we pay the highest gas taxes in the nation, our incumbent Dems have diverted this money to everything but the purpose for which it was meant, the quality of our roads. So, if it helps those poor city bound families to get out in the country and have a good summer vacation, why not? A lot of hard working folks have no other means of taking a break than driving to the beach or apark once in awhile. Give them a break!
It sounds more feasible than some of the other ideas floating around the political arena these days.

Posted By Barbara Dawson on April 21, 2008, 2:07 PM

Populist pandering?? This is hardly constructive.
What is your solution to the problem?

Posted By nancy Q on April 21, 2008, 2:08 PM

the whole thing is a rip off by the oil companies . diesel fuel is off the planet . if they would quit selling it to china . we all know that is a by product of gasoline . trucks will shut down and then where will we be .

Posted By lennie burke on April 21, 2008, 2:09 PM

By the logical extension of Mr. Torkell's inane thinking, we need higher taxes for "the earth's sake". Such a pity that such short-sighted and uninspired people believe taxation is a panacea to the world's ills.

Posted By Robert B. Evans on April 21, 2008, 2:19 PM

I really don't see how getting rid of the gas tax will help the average consumer any. It won't stop the price of gas from going up. And it might actually harm us (by cutting funding to highway repair) in the long run. We should be looking for ways to get away from our dependency on oil/gas.

Posted By Robin on April 21, 2008, 2:21 PM

We don't need make tax cuts. The State and Federal taxes are needed to maintain our highways. The taxes on Gas are fixed so we are paying a smaller and smaller percentage of tax as the price goes up. Meanwhile the Oil companies Jack up their profits and maintain their record income levels

Posted By Brian Russ on April 21, 2008, 2:24 PM

I agree that suspending the gas tax is a terrible idea. If nothing else, maybe these high prices are forcing people to drive less, which IS helping the environment. I'm not rich, and I hate paying the higher prices as much as the next person, but the government won't truly consider alternative fuels until there is an actual crisis. And I'm sorry, people, but $3.50 a gallon is not a crisis. People have been paying the equivalent (and more) in Europe for years, which is why someone decided it was a good idea to start making smaller cars. Until people get sick of paying high gas prices and start taking public transit or buying vehicles that are more efficient than a Hummer H2, the prices are not going down. Thanks for posing this question, Erik. If it makes even one person change their daily driving habits and gas consumption, it is worth hearing the dissenting voices (even the rude ones).

Posted By Keri on April 21, 2008, 2:49 PM

I agree with Tom G. Stay out of politics and stick to travel.

Ken

Posted By Ken on April 21, 2008, 2:55 PM

Just another "game" being played by the Republicans and their lap dog McCain. How about this??? Rather than saving 18 cents a gallon for three months, why don't we go after the oil companies who made $40 billion in profits last year and only spent $100 million in researching alternative energy sources over the past 10 years???

THEN maybe we're on to something....

Posted By Susan Flesher on April 21, 2008, 3:18 PM

I totally disagree with suspending the gas tax. I wish the federal government would INCREASE the gas tax by $1 to 2 per gallon, now. The only way we will ever gain energy security/independence is to start conserving it. $6.00 per gallon gas just might convince people to start driving more responsible vehicles and use public transportation or even, imagine for a minute, their own legs to get around.

Posted By James Tankersley on April 21, 2008, 3:36 PM

Stay out of politics. So many things divide us as a nation and I want my leisure magazines to stay out of it!

We need to DRILL our own oil, build more refineries, STOP the EPA from forcing 150 blends of gas on us, go nuclear, and look into other forms of energy generation.

We broke OPEC once after the long gas lines of Carter's Administration (Thank you President Reagan). We can do it again.

Posted By Juli on April 21, 2008, 3:46 PM

I certainly agree with you that McCain is really pandering to the less affluent!
All the things I liked him he has flipped or flopped away from. I.e. torture, reducing taxes for the upper class!
Let's do everything to find a new source of energy.

Posted By Madelyn pesci on April 21, 2008, 3:49 PM

Just what we need more pandering. You would think Senator McCain is running for something.
My state (Michigan) needs more money for roads not less. We need money for mass transit and bridges that don't fall into rivers.
Eight years ago I worked for John McCain's first run for the white house, now I wonder why.
Complaining about a bad idea is not political just good citizanship.

Posted By Don on April 21, 2008, 3:51 PM

Of course it is pandering on McCain's part. After all he is running for President and has not a clue how to deal with our economy or the war. He insults us by saying he will eliminate the gas tax for the summer hoping we will be ignorant enough to vote for him for a few dollars savings yet he will keep in the huge tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Do we really want 4 more years of Bush which is what McCain would be? Heaven forbid.
Believe it or not I used to like McCain until I saw how he bends over for Bush with his rubber spine.

Posted By J on April 21, 2008, 4:08 PM

What I would like to know is how much of the $36 Billion in tax's acutally is used for it's intended purpose I think it's niave to think because you are paying a tax for something it's actually allocated and used for it's intended purpose...I find it even more hilarious a magazine specializing in travel, printed on paper has a comment regarding this at all!

Posted By Jennifer on April 21, 2008, 4:16 PM

Perhaps the Congress should pass a bill that would require the auto manufactures to increase the miles per gallon on their vehicles. Five miles per vehicle by 2010 and after that a mile each year for the next twenty years. They have the capability. They have had to see this milage increase coming years ago. If you want to get rich quick, develop an engine that get fifty miles per gallon and the automobile buy the patent. How many such patents do they have in their vault?

Posted By EDWARD OF SUMTER on April 21, 2008, 5:35 PM

Does Mr McCain suffer from Alzheimers? Is this most short sighted idea or what? I personally believe we should INCREASE the gas tax and place the funds in a spcl acct to develop alternate energy sources as well as rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. This is the only way that Americans will finally give up their gas guzzlers and act like responsible world citizens. We are 5% of the world's population yet consume 25% of the oil. Shame on US!

Posted By Ann on April 21, 2008, 5:55 PM

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE IDEA, YOU EITHER DRIVE ON A COMPANY CREDIT CAR OR DON'T DRIVE AT ALL.

Posted By GERALD RICH on April 21, 2008, 6:08 PM

Where did "Budget" Travel magazine go?

Posted By Greg on April 21, 2008, 6:10 PM

I'm surprised by the many comments valuing short-term consumption over long-term investment. Free markets depend on accurate economic signals to incent optimal decisions, which doesn't work in the oil industry because 1) production ot the scarce commodity is "free" (costs reflect extraction, transport and refining but not creation of oil) and 2) downstream externalities such as pollution are unpriced. Until some sort of "cap and trade" system is adopted to expose true economics, gasoline taxes are a next best alternative, incenting conservation. I agree with those suspecting they should be higher rather than lower (presumably offset by reducing other taxes).

Posted By Bill Blessing on April 21, 2008, 6:54 PM

You hit the nail right on the head - political pandering. McCain thinks this will buy votes. Were he to be elected, which I hope he isn't, one of the first items on his agenda would be another tax cut for the rich.

Posted By Joe Fondacaro on April 21, 2008, 7:55 PM

....and the morons flood out. eric poses a very legitimate question and many bring their own heavily weighted baggage to the discussion. petroleum products are a worldwide commodity and unless there is a world-wide depression the future looks very tough. the U.S. has been in collective denial about the issue for....practically ever? i was a little boy in 1973 but i remember the "Arab oil embargo." yes, look at the europeans driving their microcars, a reaction to the reality of oil supply.
i won't comment on the morons who can't see past the next minute and want to sacrifice our treasure for their next fix....

Posted By PeteSki on April 21, 2008, 8:42 PM

Why doesn't he up the standard highway speed limit too? If he's going to steal our children's futures, he shouldn't be half-hearted about it--he should use that oil up sooner, forget about energy conservation, and get that vote. Rah, rah, rah.

Posted By jaa on April 21, 2008, 9:18 PM

I'm trying to like McCain, but that has got to be the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time. Borrowing more money so we can give more of it to the unstable middle eastern countries. What???

Posted By Ian on April 21, 2008, 9:31 PM

I already made summer travel plans, and the amount of "oil surcharge" I had to pay for the flights (per ticket) and the cruise (per day) I purchased for a family of four made me cringe. All things being equal, who wants to pay more when you can pay less?

But that's just the thing. All things are not equal. A little short-term savings of gas money for my summer vacation will come at the cost of paying for new roads, repairs, keeping the bridge toll from increasing again, etc. Where I live, the city government doesn't have money to pave over potholes in the roads because asphalt is an oil derivative and high oil price means 40% increase in road repair expenses. A gas "rebate" is not free money; it's a tradeoff with consequences. Hey, I can use the money, but I'm not sure I want to have to keep driving over potholes just to save $20.

More importantly, shouldn't we think about planning for the future, such as invest in alternative fuel sources and design vehicles with better gas efficiency? We're going to run out of oil eventually. The supply is already tight. It's not just about global warming (whether you believe it or not), it's not just about improving the mileage of SUVs so that your and my commute will cost less. Our dependency on oil is a matter of national security: our fighter jets, tanks, humvees, ships are all powered by gasoline. Can you imagine a future when gas becomes so prohibitively expensive each gallon of gas used for a civilian is one fewer gallon available for the troops? By the way oil price keeps rising, I can. It's scary indeed.

Until we find alternatives, oil price is going to get higher and higher. I'd rather pay a little now to avoid paying even more in the long term.

Posted By Faye on April 21, 2008, 9:55 PM

Why did you have to reveal your politics to me? now i will have to cancel my subscription to your magazine and stop looking at your web site. By the way, the oil companies are getting rich from profits in China and India....and we have plenty of oil in U.S. we are just not allowed to drill for it...and believe the lie about some highway trust fund if you want, but the government has always spent every dime they collect from us......and there is no trust fund dedicated solely to roads/infrastructure.....how on earth did the politicians convince some fools that it is a good thing to tax us??? that we should be grateful for taxes??? that they are necessary???
the more money we send to WAshington in the form of taxes, they more money the politicians spend ....I think john mccain is the only candidate promising to end earmarks...maybe finally we can get necessary bills passed without having to include millions in pork projects just to get a senator/congressman to vote for the bill...........by the way, you said McCain was "pandering"....i'll bet if a Democrat had suggested a tax holiday...it would have been a "wow" moment for you. Now, that i've had my say..........shut up about politics and politicians..........this is a travel site.

Posted By Granny on April 21, 2008, 11:02 PM

Please do not talk politics--I read for fun--not for political debate.

Posted By Lis on April 21, 2008, 11:33 PM

The price of oil and its derivatives is certainly becoming a stumbling block for travelling, as are taxes. Why don't some travel writers get that? McCain's proposal is positive for travellers instead of the highly negative ''save the planet'' massive air ticket taxes imposed by Gordon Brown in the UK now and to be implemented in the Netherlands beginning in July. Each of those adds about $100 to the cost of flying to the UK or Netherlands, and is intended to discourage air travel. The fact that the enviromentalists seem to want to tax me every time I turn around is giving me a bellyfull of them and their movement, which I at one time supported.

Posted By R. Semmes on April 22, 2008, 5:18 AM

I don't feel that we need to be more mindful of how we drive. It's just the the corporate oil companies are just plain greedy. The price of gasoline does not have to be as expensive as it is with so many oil resources right here in our own backyard. This is suppose to be AMERICA, the land of plenty. Now, look at us. Things are so expensive due to greed and no other reason. We've got so much governmental unnecessary spending, that our tax dollars are going to waste. And the head of this country has practically taken every means of encouragement away from us. The government needs to be more mindful of what they do. Why did the Congress scrutinize the oil corportation and not continue to get the price of oil down? That's what needs to be mindful. Another waste of our tax dollars.

Posted By Edward S on April 22, 2008, 7:59 AM

I get this magazine to read about travel, not someone's political agenda.

Posted By Blaine on April 22, 2008, 8:10 AM

EVERYONE STEP BACK....AND TAKE A HISTORIC AND GLOBAL VIEW...."MODERN" AMERICA WAS "CREATED" BY THE AUTOMOBILE...NOWHERE ON THIS PLANET IS THERE A HIGHWAY SYSTEM LIKE OURS THAT SPANS AN ENTIRE COUNTRY...THINK FOR A MOMENT OF ALL OF THE INDUSTRIES THAT RELIES ON, AND ARE INTRICATE TO THE FUEL CONSUMING MOTOR ENGINE. STEEL, RUBBER/TIRE, ELECTRONICS, TRANSPORTATION OF FOOD AND GOODS WHETHER BY TRUCK, TRAIN OR SHIP; VEHICLE SALES, REPAIR, INSURANCE, TRAVEL, TOURISM...YOU CAN ADD TO THIS LIST ALL OF THE OTHERS THAT ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO TODAY'S AMERICA AND THE ROADWAY SYSTEM THAT HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ALL AMERICANS TO MOVE ABOUT FREELY WHEREVER, AND WHENEVER THEY WISH. PEOPLE IN EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD USUALLY WERE BORN, RAISED AND BURIED WITHIN A 25 MILE RADIUS...IN THE 20TH CENTURY AMERICA WAS BOTH ADMIRED, AND ENVIED....BECAUSE OF HER STRENGTH, PROSPERITY AND FREEDOM...AND I BELIEVE THOSE FEELINGS TOWARDS AMERICA HAS NOT CHANGED. MANY FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY...CORPORATE AMERICA'S SENDING JOBS TO GLOBALLY LOWER WAGE COUNTRIES TO AVOID PAYING THE HIGHER SALERIED AMERICANS (YOU CAN THANK THE UNIONS ALSO FOR ASKING/DEMANDING FOR "THE MOON" AT CONTRACT TALKS)...THE EXPLOSION OF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY IS REALLY WHAT PUT US IN THE POSITION WE ARE TODAY...THE "PHYSICAL PRESENCE" OF AN EMPLOYEE TO ACTUALLY BE WHERE A SERVICE NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA AND INDIA (WHERE USA COMPANIES DIVERTED THEIR WORK FORCE) ARE BECOMING THE "NEW AMERICANS", INCREASING THEIR STANDARDS OF LIVING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO AFFORD WHAT AMERICANS HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED...THE PERSONAL FREEDOM TO MOVE ABOUT THEIR COUNTRIES BY AUTOMOBILE. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ONLY TAKING BABY STEPS...BUT EVENTUALLY THEY TOO, WILL DEVELOP AND INCREASE THEIR HIGHWAY SYSTEMS AS THIER INDIVIDUAL WEALTH INCREASES. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ABSOLUTE CRAZINESS RIGHT NOW....US FARMERS ARE GROWING MOST OF THEIR CROPS FOR "FUEL"...THE PRICE OF CORN AND WHEAT AND OTHER FOOD CROPS HAVE SKY ROCKETED BECAUSE OF ALTERNATVE FUEL STATEGIES...THE GLOBAL WARMING "HYSTERIA" IS NUTS....THE EARTH, PLANETS AND SOLAR SYSTEMS WERE HERE WAY BEFORE MAN CRAWLED OUT OF A POND...AND THEY WILL LIKELY ALWAYS BE HERE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. WHAT MAKES "MAN" THINK, EVEN FOR A MOMENT...THAT "HIS EXISTENCE ON EARTH" IS SOMEHOW CRITICAL TO THE CONTINUATION OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE....PEOPLE, WE THINK "WAY TOO MUCH OF OURSELVES"...MAN IS JUST A "BLIP" IN THE LINEAGE OF LIFE ON EARTH AND THE GALAXIES...RELIGION AND POLITICS ASIDE...THE NATURAL LAWS OF LIFE COME INTO PLAY...THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE...THE WEAK SHALL PERISH...THOSE THAT CAN SHELTER,FEED AND PROTECT THEIR OWN HAVE THE BEST CHANCE TO SURVIVE...AMERICA NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT HER OWN SURVIVAL...AND DO WHAT EVER IT IS THAT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HER POPULATION WITH THE BASICS OF LIFE.

Posted By JOE V on April 22, 2008, 8:10 AM

I thought I was suscribing to a travel website, not political. I could not care less what Erik thinks of McCain or gas taxes. I wonder how Erik would like it if he boarded a flight that was a flight attendant on, and i got on the p/a and gave a political speech?

Posted By Jane W on April 22, 2008, 9:44 AM

The longer we ignore the problem, the worse it will be, and the faster it'll get worse. If McCain had a brain (and more important, a shred of that maverick attitude he's supposedly famous for), he'd propose we RAISE the gas tax. Yes, you heard me right.
Regular incremental increases in the price of gas will not force this country to adapt to higher fuel costs, and the trickle-down effect they will have on our entire economy...including travel, which will quickly become a luxury again. All other attempts to encourage conservation in this country have been unsuccessful, so it would seem that the only way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil (and oil in general) is to price it out of convenience.
By the way, travel (and shipping) by rail is pretty darn efficient. Are any of the candidates talking about increasing funding for Amtrak and rail freight?

Posted By Evan on April 22, 2008, 11:37 AM

It is nice to see that there are still so many people who want to force their "ways" on us such as "make the gas price higher till they stop using gas and walk' etc.without "walking in the other man's shoes".Many of us have to drive to our lower paying jobs because that is the only way to get there. We also can not afford to rush out and buy fuel efficent cars as the moneyed classes can as we need the money for food, shelter and the gas to get to work! Maybe 18 cents isn't much in "your world" but every little bit helps me as groceries go up due to the high cost of fuel along with everything else.Clearly many responders here have more money than a concern for the working class.

Posted By PJ on April 23, 2008, 3:05 PM

Eliminating the gas tax is simply pandering to the public in an election year. The oil companies will not get a conscious and lower their prices but simply accept the "extra" income into their coffers. If we can subsidize these fat cats with government money than we should demand prices be lower and regulate the industry. I agree with PJ that not everyone has the luxury of a hybrid or bicycle. I live in the country and need 4-wheel to get to work. On the other hand I live in a solar powered house totally off the grid. How many people that live in town and can bike it have solar panels on their roof?

Posted By Off the Grid Gal on April 23, 2008, 6:20 PM

I'm not a tax expert, but I believe the federal gas tax is higher then 18 cents a gallon.
In the interest of the economy and travel, it really is a good idea. Sure, we can say it's bad for the enviornment, but then you might as well add another $1 to the price if you really think that is justification for the tax, and high price of fuel. People who travel, spend money and help the economy. $4.50 gas will not help anyone.

Posted By Tony on April 23, 2008, 6:44 PM

Hey Erik, why don't you keep your comments about politics to yourself. This is the second time in the past month I've read your comments, and you've taken the liberal political point of view. Pretty obvious which way you lean. Try sticking to travel! "For the Earth's sake we all need to be more mindful of how we drive?" Sounds to me like you don't care about the travel business at all, as long as we're saving the planet. By the way, how do you get to work? I happen to have a 60 mile commute each way, and......guess what? I carpool!! I still think I deserve a vacation!!

Posted By Jenny on April 24, 2008, 12:03 AM

Everyone should skip all the other comments and just read Joe V.'s comments posted April 22.

Posted By Georgia on April 24, 2008, 10:13 AM

Okay, suspending the gas tax for the summer could be a very quick, short term solution. But we need to do more in the long run. Personally, I think that we need to do something about the record profits that the Oil Companies are making. Record Profits last year, over $40 billion? That is rather excesive for what Americans are paying for gas right now.

What we should do is limit the oil companies on the profits that they make. Maybe we should have a 75% tax on thier profits, and then return that money to the American Consumer, if they drive. Let's just say that is 200 million people. That would be an average return of $150 per driver. Yeah, I know rounded figures, but hey, it could work. Lets face it, the issue at the pumps isn't OPEC, Taxes, or the government, it is the oil companies that want to rip of the American Consumer.

If we don't do something about them, then we are all screwed. Oh, and as far as the Karibu in Alaska, they will live if we develop clean drilling techniques for getting more oil up there.

Posted By Andrew in CMH on April 24, 2008, 2:47 PM

"I thought I was suscribing to a travel website, not political. I could not care less what Erik thinks of McCain or gas taxes. I wonder how Erik would like it if he boarded a flight that was a flight attendant on, and i got on the p/a and gave a political speech?

Posted By Jane W on April 22, 2008, 9:44 AM"

AMEN!!!

Posted By KB on April 24, 2008, 5:00 PM

This is absolutely IDIOTIC. people who actually consider this should re-evaluate their priorities.

One: he cant actually change anything, he just wants to make the public like him.

Two: whoa! i've got forty extra dollars in my pocket from the tax cut that cost the nation $36 billion dollars! With that whole $40 i'm gunna go on a road trip and spend $300 more on gas than i would have if there wasn't the tax! SCREW that stupid economy car, i'm gunna go ahead and buy a SUV; thats an All-American car!

Three: Hey, that McCain has got an idea, he wants to save me money, i'm gunna go ahead and vote for him in '08.. so that he can continue to drive the country into the ground! He'll defiantly stabilize the country with his plans of tax cuts and staying in Iraq indefinitely, worked for Bush! Spending that kind of money on a pointless war wont cost any money at all and definitely wont affect my daily life. Wouldn't cause something like a recession; no apparently thats my fault for trying to live with the luxury of having a roof over my head and not being able to buy all that i want at the mall. My fault, not the corrupt government and corporations that run this country.

Posted By laura on April 26, 2008, 11:54 AM

I am tired off your Global warming scare tactics go drill in the arctics and where ever there is oil. Yes lower the Gasoline Tax

Posted By Karl V on April 26, 2008, 12:26 PM

Listen up everybody. We are in an election season. Some candidates tell us what they think we want to hear at this time, and promise anything and everything in order to "strengthen their positions". They will do ANYTHING to get elected, telling us what they themselves neither understand or believe. The gas tax message is another way of pandering to the oil companies. Put on your thinking caps folks , does anyone think that monies lost via the so called "tax holiday" will not be passed on to us the taxpayers elsewhere? Do not be taken for a ride by these dishonest politicians. Enjoy the tax holiday for three months and pay for the lost revenue elsewhere for the rest of our lives. What a savings plan!! Read what the economists who are merely doing their jobs and have nothing to gain personally but keeping their reputation intact have to say. These people,unlike politicians do not have to say just anything to get elected. They unlike some politicians tell us the truth.

Posted By Gloria Y. Fredericks on May 5, 2008, 1:59 PM

There is an allure to talk of reducing tax on an expensive item, like gas; but the allure dulls when economists remind us that supply and demand set the price. So, if the tax is reduced, the demand will rise somewhat and the price will rise to meet it. Hence, the promise of a tax reduction is a misinformed policy or pure pandering. The highway fund and its thousands of employees suffer; we benefit not a whit. CAG

Posted By Charles on May 5, 2008, 3:09 PM

Yes, gas prices are way too high for no reason but doing away with the gas tax for the summer is not the solution. Thhe pinheads in Washinton dn't have a clue what the average American goes through everyday. They talk about less dependance on foreign Oil,how about drilling for oil in ANWAR and the Gulf of Mexico where China and Nigeria are drilling Why do they and not us?
Those of you who think we all need to stay home this summer so we don't harm the enviroment, Why don't you put up or shut up?

Posted By Lamar Horne on May 8, 2008, 12:51 PM

Well, Duh!! The gas prices will not go down at all. The station owners and suppliers will just pocket the difference! It is expensive, we probably just need to get used to it. (Think of it, this is what most countries have been paying for years!)

Happy backyarding this summer!

Posted By Christie on May 8, 2008, 1:01 PM

Nevada law states that if the federal gas tax is reduced, that the state must increase the state gas tax by an equivalent amount. Therefore, reducing the federal gas tax would be of no benefit to the consumer in this state.

Posted By Sallie on May 8, 2008, 1:29 PM

This proposal is pandering at it's most basic level and is offensive. It will not decrease the cost of gas, and the plan to get the essential money for our roads that will be lost with this proposal through a tax on the oil companies (as Clinton suggests) is a political impossibility and we all know it. IF it could ever get through Congress it would be vetoed. All rhetoric not action as usual. Thankfully we do have some candidates who do not treat us like idiots.

Posted By waynep on May 8, 2008, 1:33 PM

The head of Exxon has already stated he is keeping gasoline production flat until at least 2010 because it is making record profits for him and his stockholders. Do you really think that suspending the gas tax will give "joe consumer" a break? It will only increase the profits the gas producers are receiving.

Posted By James Force on May 8, 2008, 2:04 PM

Torkells is showing his Liberal lefty side again. I know better how to spend my money than the Washington Liberals. Everytime any tax cut is brought up, the Liberal mantra is, "Don't cut any tax because the amount cut will be so small it won't do the tax payer any good." YEAH??!! But keeping the tax will will help the "Washington pork barrel"!?! Washington has enough tax money NOW. Give us the PUMP TAX which is being used now to build roads for cronies.

Posted By tom federicks on May 8, 2008, 2:37 PM

A gas tax holiday sounds good, but in the end it is the consumer who has to make up the loss of federal revenue. So one way or another the consumer pays. And in the end the oil companies get bigger, because the gas is cheaper, people buy more and the profits fatten the wallets of the big energy refiners, deliverers and oil companies. If any discount is provided, it should come from Big Oil, not the government. They are reporting record profits every quarter, its time for them to give a little back!

Posted By Carl on May 8, 2008, 2:56 PM

Please, please, please! as a Prior Nation and Power to be mostly looked up to...why, oh why, do you insist on continually driving double standards and shooting yourselves in the foot!?
GAS is not where you need to give people "Breaks" it is adding to your problems overall, tax the damn stuff more and wean yourselves of it!, while redistributing the savings to poor and planet and oh yes to "Proper Citizenship"! GREED and FEAR must be replaced not only abroad, but at home for you US Guys! So, Stop preaching, and please start Leading again!..PLEASE!!! and..start with "Single Standards"..then Global respect Flows back...
Otherwise, don't expect to be taken seriously for much longwe..Gus XO (Irish Citizen-in Middle East)

Posted By Gus on May 8, 2008, 3:01 PM

No question, we are being taken for a ride on the scary, ridiculous price of gas. Our way of life is at risk. The current administration in Washington DC is to blame. Attendance in Orlando parks is down 1.5 million visitors according to newspaper reports, and that number will go up this year. The price of gas is the single biggest reason for that. We work all year, like we are in a work release program, then can't afford to take our families to Disneyworld. Isn't that tragic? We deserve better, and we deserve better leadership in light of this failure to look ahead just slightly. Let's get our act together, reclaim our standard of living, and bring hope back into the American vernacular.

Posted By Larry Hollowell on May 8, 2008, 3:08 PM

Although it is true that the Highway Trust Fund is a regulated fund and provides aignificant monies to maintain and repair oour infrastructure,the summertime is a significant travel time of the year for many families who count on the price of gasoline (not to mention the lodgings, restaurants and other forms of entertainment that rely on the summer for travelers to visit and spend in those places... although this is not a permanent fix to our overall conomic condition it will be a shot in the arm to our ailing (read " RECESSION" THAT OUR GOVERNMENT BELIEVES WE ARE NOT IN...ask the thousands ...accoring to one report nearly 1,000,000 working Americans have lost their jobs) Just imagine the millions in tax dollars that could be raised, not to mention the REAL economic boost to the entertainment and tourism industries a gas tax cut would mean.I believe ALL the presidential candidates should get behind this tax cut however temporary it is and then work to solve our overall energy reliance problems in the near future.
One last thing , i believe this cut will do significantly more for our economy in at least the short term than our Presidents "tax gift due most taxpayers

Posted By Stuart on May 8, 2008, 3:23 PM

Eliminating the gas tax for the summer is like throwing a drowning person a "rubber ducky". Also the highway infra-structure in the US is in terrible shape, and the gas tax goes to improve our roads.
If the goal is to insure lower gasloine prices then I suggest a two fold approach;
1. Instant relief - put on hold the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, this would drop oil at least $20 per barrel.
2. Offer a tax subsidy to the American Auto makers to start producing vehicles that get at least the same milage as the imports. We invented the internal combustion engine, how come we can't compete with the imports?
This two step approach will do more for immediate relief and long term surivial than a temporary cessation of the gas tax.

Posted By steve on May 8, 2008, 3:30 PM

why does everybody bring up it is McCain idea only Hillary also thinks it is a good idea also just OB does not think it is a good idea. well i think it is a good idea i would like to save some tax even tho it is for 3 months now if you do not want to save any tax money on gas just park your car and walk. and some one said why dont McCain talk about drilling in places like Alaska it is because the Democrats always blocks it. i also think it is a good to drill anywhere in Alaska or anywhere we can drill for oil like Florida is another good place but the gov. does not want to drill there. people quit blaming thing all on the Republics.we have bad Republics and Dom.

Posted By David fazio on May 8, 2008, 4:40 PM

The easy answer is for the morons with the big SUVs and trucks to slow down to at least the speed limit. My Volvo gets 30-35 on the open road and I am passed by the big boys like I am standing still when I am doing 70. The typical American self-centered driver is the cause of much of our gas problems. I hate to agree with Obama on anything, but this time he is right

Posted By Steve on May 8, 2008, 5:23 PM

There is a 9 Trillion dollar national debt; Fed Tax is used for highway/bridge repair. When on earth will my fellow Americans realize the government can't "give" us anything they haven't already taken from our pockets-in spades?!

Posted By Mike on May 8, 2008, 5:55 PM

ANOTHER DUMB Washington idea (doesn't deserve the word "idea.")

Posted By Andrew P. on May 8, 2008, 5:57 PM

We're sending our fighting forces off to some hellhole that just happens to be a big oil producer - why couldn't we at least get some oil out of it? At least that way it wouldn't be a total waste. Oh, wait, it's really a crusade for democracy. My bad.

Posted By darkstar on May 8, 2008, 6:42 PM

Gas tax goes towards highway maintenance and is about 18 cents. When gas is above $4 a gallon 18 cents won't make one bit of a difference to me and the highways will be so jacked up we won't be able to drive on them. I agree with Kim. Oil companies should reduce their profit margins and the government should regulate the oil industry more. I live in LA where the transportation system is crappy, and most people work 20 miles or more away from home. Why is Exxon Mobile enjoying increased profits while we suffer at the pump...and at our local retailers that are raising the price of everything because of the increased cost of transporting goods. For Gods sake, a gallon of milk is almost $5 a gallon. I say regulation is the key, not cutting money where it's needed. If we can spend billions on a war, the government can either subsidize the cost of the gas or do what they are supposed to do and regulate these companies. But, no, they are too busy taking special intrest money from Exxon for their campaigns, so they owe the oil industry the favor of sticking it to the average American. I'm sick and tired of it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, I think a conversation about gas prices is related to the travel industy. Give Erik a break.

Posted By Chekechea on May 8, 2008, 8:57 PM

This is insane. We have to make a long term solutions for our energy need. We have to vote out all those idiots in the congress and send new guys in. I am not sure what McCain is thinking. He want to lose to Obama?? One time tax rebate is not going to solve our problem. Tax all those gas gustling cars and try to give tax credit to all those alternate energy, like solar panel at home and wind power for homes.
If you go to Europe, most houses have solar panel to heat their hot water with solar panels. What a energy saver and help our economy.

Posted By Charles Chung on May 8, 2008, 9:25 PM

I urge Gas Tax Holiday for 1 year.
Or longer.
Lets test this out & force changes in our economy.
Fly Biofuel jets, If Richard Branson can, why cant US airlines/?
Wake up America.

Posted By stephen russell on May 8, 2008, 10:07 PM

This gas tax holiday has to be the dumbest idea,.... since "W" destablized the world. The impact to us as buyers is insignificant; it will not cause gas prices to drop; it will create an another budget hole for the Feds to fill; it will enrich the oil companies who will raise their per gallon prices by no change at the gas pump and will send more US$ to the middle east.
No politician gets it, require immediate, realCAFE economy standards, find real alternative power sources, not the shams of biodiesel or ethanol.

Posted By NWT commuter on May 8, 2008, 10:08 PM

As we enter and are in a recession, shouldn't this price gouging be stopped. The heads of these oil companies ought to be ashamed of themselves..... record profits when our country is in such financial straights. It is just one more way that the good old boys in the industry and the government make $$$$$$ off the working persons sweat. Wouln't it be a plus for human kind everywhere if one of those big shots would say "NO, I will make a change for the consumer this time." LOWER PRICES LOWER TAXES LOWER YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING FOR ONCE INSTEAD OF THE WORKING CLASS HAVING TO CUT BACK AGAIN!!!!!

Posted By Jo Ann Lawrence on May 9, 2008, 7:29 AM

We buy gas from people who hate us.
Now they are talking about cutting taxes that pay people and projects to help our roads and streets. Bad idea.
What about sugar for gas? Brazil has been doing it for almost 30 years (they are our ally too) and they even export it because they have so much! They went from 100% foreign oil dependence to 0%. America is sinking fast because of special interest groups.
DEMAND a CHANGE!!!
Many countries in the world are surpassing the US because of greed. We can do something or continue to suffer the consequences of complacancy.

Posted By Monika on May 9, 2008, 7:06 PM

It's like this. Rather than give the oil companies a tax break, the give the money to the tax payers as an economic stimulus program, to give to the oil companies. Just call this tax cut for the summer more of the same.

Posted By Joseph Ballaro on May 10, 2008, 5:42 PM

Let's see....we've built a massive highway infrastructure system that requires a lot of maintenance, that is already falling apart (anyone remember the collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis?) from lack keeping it up. And now we want to eliminate the major funding source for doing this. Where do you think the funding is now going to come from, the infrastructure fairy? Or is this another extension of the "faith based" government programs we keep hearing about from members of our elected governing body. We pray that our pot-holes don't get bigger, and more bridges don't collapse?

Posted By Michael Kirick on May 14, 2008, 12:42 PM