What I don't understand about this policy proposal is that it shifts the burden of paying for roads from the people who use them the most to the general population. Granted, we all benefit from a good transportation network even those who don't drive much or don't even own a car. But I would think instead of raising sales taxes and eliminating the gas tax the better thing to do would be to raise the gas and diesel tax and find a way to assess those cars that don't pay much gas tax (because they're hybrid or more fuel efficient). This way, the people who use the roads the most bear most of the burden of paying for them. If we're going to raise taxes to pay for something we need, it might as well come out of the pockets of those who are going to benefit most directly.

Mixed emotions on this - most are negative. You're replacing one regressive tax with another regressive tax so from that perspective it's unknown effect. You're raising revenue, which is good in my opinion.

But as Sam says, you're disconnecting transportation costs from their users. I think gas tax is an excellent and simple (easy to implement) approximation of road use. In addition, it incentivizes fuel efficiency and comes closer to a 'truer' price for gasoline use. If the gas tax is "“outdated” because of inflation and better fuel economy" then raise the gas tax and index it to inflation. Also, I disagree with the $100 fee on alternative fuel vehicles (and I don't own one). From my first look, it seems we are not just trying to remove incentives that reward good environmental practice, but also to actively punish them.

The people who damage the roads by driving on them should pay for them. And, if the good people of Virginia don't want to pay for roads, then maybe the Governor should stop paving new roads until the people change their minds.

In other words, the Governor and the General Assembly should focus on things that people are willing to pay for, like education.

Increasing the gas tax makes more sense as users will pay the tax, including out of state travelers. The Virginia gas tax has not been raised since 1986, and had previous adminstrations and legislatures been more responsive we would not be in this sorry state of affiars. Also, McDonnell is proposing a shift of general fund revenue to transportation which will underfund education and public safety funding putting more pressure on localities. Proposal also pins hopes on federal action on internet sales tax which may not get enacted. Give him credit for coming up with a plan but ultimate passage is iffy at best.

Greater Greater Washington has a nice write up on why this proposal is insanity.

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/17305/mcdonnells-insane-transportation-plan-no-gas-tax/

This seems illogical....I think the folks who drive the most, and probably use the most gas, should pay more via a gas tax; it should be increased, not eliminated. Don't see why other folks should pay more for roads (via increased sales tax) than the folks who use them the most....including out-of-state folks.

Thanks RJ for pointing to the Greater Greater Washington article since it raises the question of whether the sales taxes would be levied on gasoline sales. Currently gasoline sales are exempt. Under McDonnell's proposal that would not change.

People who drive the most should pay more in taxes via a gas tax? Hmmm. Does this logic also apply to public education or public housing? What is ignored within these comments is the fact that transportation funding pays not only for roads, but also funds the public transportation which uses those roads and funds our public transportation using rails. Bicyclists and pedestrians also use the roads and do not pay for their use through gasoline sales. Owners of vehicles already pay increased taxes through Virginia's personal property tax, state sales tax on the purchase of their vehicle, and local and state vehicle registration/inspection costs. The public roads and rails are open to the entire public and should therefore be funded by the entire public.

Its so typical for politicians to raise taxes, its an easy solution. Is it too much to ask our elected officials to do their job and make some tough decisions and look at spending cuts. We can't solve our problems by continuing to raise taxes - we need a balance approach to cut and spend