State Debt, State Capitalism, and State Reform: Infrastructure Politics and Fiscal Constitutionalism in the United States, 1818-1848

 The history of internal improvements in the United States exposes perennial questions of American political development. It asks us to examine complex interdependences, to explore relationships between State and economy, to discern interactions between constitutional structures and constitutional change, to uncover tensions between path-dependency and institutional development, and to elucidate exchanges between politics and political economy. To illuminate these intersecting dynamics, this study examines the prodigious period of infrastructural expansion stimulated by subnational government promotion of internal improvements in the early 19^th century United States. It explores the political, economic, and societal processes by which people, voters, public officials, and corporations first construct, and then reconstruct systems of public finance, public administration, and political economy, and examines their long-run impacts on the constitutions, institutions, and structures of American government.

Gas tax increase may be packaged as ’user fee’

Gas tax increase may be packaged as ’user fee’

State gasoline taxes average 23.5 cents per gallon but vary widely - Today in Energy - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

State gasoline taxes average 23.5 cents per gallon but vary widely - Today in Energy - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

The Future of the Gas Tax: Part I

Congress has not raised the federal gas tax since "the beginning of the Clinton administration," remarked Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer in a recent push to raise the federal gas tax.  Blumenauer pointed out that, “Today, with inflation and increased fuel efficiency for vehicles, the average motorist is paying about half as much per mile as they did in 1993."  Technological improvement and a failure to index the tax rate to inflation have resulted in declining revenues. The drop in revenues coincides with a steady increase in costs (raw materials, labor, maintenance are all impacted by inflation). Under current policy, the gap between revenue and needed expenditures will continue to grow. 

 The Congressman argues that a gas tax increase enjoys widespread support, "There’s a broad and persuasive coalition that stands ready to support Congress, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National AFL-CIO, the construction and trucking industry, cyclists, professional groups, numerous associations of small and medium businesses, local governments, and transit agencies." These groups recognize that infrastructure plays a vital role in maintaining U.S. economic competitiveness in the 21st century, and they realize our current policies are inadequate to the task. 

Gas Tax Gains Favor in the States | Tax Justice Blog

Gas Tax Gains Favor in the States | Tax Justice Blog

Politicians Choosing Roads Over Schools | Tax Justice Blog

Politicians Choosing Roads Over Schools | Tax Justice Blog

Virginia Gov. McDonnell Says He Wants Tax Reform, But.... | Tax Justice Blog

Virginia Gov. McDonnell Says He Wants Tax Reform, But.... | Tax Justice Blog