Only 3 states Delaware, Montana, and New Jersey raise enough revenue from cars to fully cover their highway spending.

The remaining 47 states and the District of Columbia must make up the difference with tax revenues from other sources

By diverting general funds to roadway spending, the burden of paying for the roads falls on all taxpayers, including people who drive very little or may not drive at all.

Source: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-road-taxes-funding/

  • FireRetardant@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    1 day ago

    Do you have a source for those numbers? Id be surprised if the fuel +registration taxes cover even 1/3 of the cost of roads. Maybe they could cover basic maintaince like painting, plowing, and potholes, but initial construction or resurfacing likely needs heavy investment from elsewhere

    Edit: i see the OP does have a source for tax revenue numbers, but it is unclear exactly what is covered under the taxes. Does it include funds for police for traffic enforcement? Funding for emergency services responding to accidents? The site isn’t clear if new road construction or lane widening is included in the budgets as road maintaince or not.