As I spend far too much time crawling along in a line of cars lately, I realize that our legislators and governor could make a choice that would be good for our economy, our environment, and our quality of life. The State of Hawaii should promptly enact a tax of at least 50 cents per gallon on fuel for highway use. Why?
Not long ago, we were paying more than $2 per gallon above today’s prices. We were driving less, and we survived that enormous price bubble. A moderate tax would discourage unnecessary driving. It would probably nudge the gasoline suppliers to shrink the excessive profit margins they have enjoyed lately. So, drivers might be spending somewhat more total dollars on fuel, but that would be a choice. The time we gain by reducing traffic would be more than worth the extra expense.
Clearly, some driving is discretionary. If the average driver cut driving mileage 10%, and the fuel suppliers gave up even ten cents of their indecent profits, then a 50 cent tax would cost that average driver only 4% more than he or she is currently spending, far less than what we were spending only a few months ago. Lately, my commute home is 10-15 minutes longer than it was a few months ago. I’d gladly pay an extra 50 cents to have that time back.
Since our state uses over 400 million gallons of highway fuel annually, this tax would produce over $200 million in annual revenue and cause little pain for those of us who would pay it. We the people would get cleaner air and less traffic. We might walk a little more. State government could maintain essential services, and perhaps $40 or $50 million less annually would leave our state to pay for petroleum. This tax might require some political courage to enact, but would give us more benefits than it would cost.
James Karkheck
Captain Cook, Hawaii