As skyrocketing gasoline prices continue to plague Americans, frustrations with costs at the pump have subsided only minimally in response to the much greater problems left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As discontent among consumers reaches new heights, possible ways to alleviate the financial burden on the average motorist are being considered, including the idea of lessening or removing state taxes on gasoline. Although a convenient solution, targeting gas taxes is a deceptively simple alternative that would fail to solve any problems. In fact, it might only serve to create more.
Ohio officials, along with their counterparts in several other states, have considered lowering or altogether removing gas taxes in response to escalating prices. However, Gov. Bob Taft and several state lawmakers recently warned against any such plan, and with good reason. The tax revenue is typically used for state road and bridge maintenance among other important public improvements. Any cuts in gas taxes would either hinder progress on projects like those, or create need for alternative taxation to take place at some level to compensate for the cutbacks. Additionally, cutting gas taxes would not solve the true problem at hand. Gasoline is sold by private companies and not the government. There is certainly no guarantee that these companies would lower prices to match tax cuts.
Any plans to remove gas taxes should be scrapped immediately. However, real remedies for motorists' financial woes might be possible. Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, is sponsoring a bill this fall designed to lower fuel prices by encouraging the use of gasoline alternatives such as biodiesel and corn-based ethanol. Meanwhile, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro is calling for legislation to give him the authority to investigate gasoline price gouging. Although it is too early to forecast success, initiatives such as those are much wiser than the rash idea of simply lowering gas taxes. In the meantime, the $0.46 in combined state and federal taxes that Ohioans must pay per gallon should be borne resolutely. With hope, soaring gas prices will prove a temporary hindrance.
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