Must have been a blip or something (I don't follow this). Gas prices at the pump were around 1.66 for a week and then on Wednesday everyone went to 1.79. Today it is back to 1.69 and I see barrel prices are 45.
Oh well, I'm still enjoying this immensely.
Missouri is talking about raising gas taxes from 18 cents. It appears the federal highway money has all but dried up and now we only have 350 million per year to maintain something like 10K of roadways. (seems like 35K per mile should cut it?)
I'm proud that Missouri is kinda efficient in our road department. We have one of the largest road systems in the US and one of the lowest budgets. I bet it will become a whole lot more efficient very soon as I doubt Missourians will vote for an increase.
So here are some ideas for Missouri ( who are more typical than MMM in their spending approach) that could be applied in most states -
1. quit mowing along highways and bid out the grass harvest to farmers. Bam a cost now becomes an income. At very least bid out the process instead of hiring highly paid government workers. Just quit mowing already.
2. Sell advertising on overpasses, road side signs (like right on the road), painted on the pavement etc..
3. Establish those toll roads and let private non profits run them.
4. Do away with the gas tax altogether and simply charge every person 100 per year in extra taxes. (sales) This would have the effect of truckers choosing to route through Missouri. Tourist would love us too as we would have the lowest gas price in the US.
5. Oh and if anyone from Missouri is reading this -- How about doing away with all gas taxes and simply tax internet purchases at the same rate as any other retail taxes. That is something like 500M.
6. Start some programs that encourage less driving. Work from home promotions, efficient driving promotions, encourage businesses to stager start and end work hour times, promote internet based and home based employment.
Really if the US government got behind a MMM approach to car usage -- work from home, bike a little, walk, quit all the trips, carpool, live close to work, drive highly efficient cars etc., we could see a 30-50% reduction in US gas usage in just a few years and that would only lead to less demand, less road deterioration and lower prices. What a virtuous cycle that would be.
Sorry about my rant on Missouri gas taxes -- won't try to derail this thread again.