Benefits and Costs

American politicians often struggle to find a politically acceptable way to fund infrastructure projects throughout the country. This piece compares the historical, economic, and social aspects of the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and gasoline (gas) tax systems. An increase in the gas tax would be the most direct and effective way to raise the much-needed funds for state and federal infrastructure budgets. However, raising the gas tax has been taboo since the late 1920’s, creating a difficult hurdle to overcome. VMT tax systems have their limitations, but with a shift in public perception and a staged implementation, a VMT system may be the answer to America’s infrastructure needs.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120313/1/Reilly_BenefitsAndCosts.pd