Oil CEO Favors Gas Tax Hikes

There are a lot of very smart people out there advocating a higher national tax on gas. None of them, however, is a CEO at an oil company. That’s why Paul Foster, CEO of Western Refining in Texas, is such an oddity. In a Q&A with Fortune Magazine, Foster explains that gas taxes now are far less than they were in the 1970s, and that they should be raised accordingly.

While not good for his business, Foster thinks a higher gas tax is right for the nation. How much does he say taxes should go up on a gallon of gas? $2 a gallon. Well, not all at once, but over time; Foster says a gradual increase in the national gas tax is the way to go. He blames legislators afraid of election politics for the decline in the tax rate, which has left many public works projects underfunded. 

This oil man favors a gas-tax hike (Fortune)

Comments

[DL]

i'm glad somebody out there is not so driven by greed ... i like driving, and i want to see good infrastructure; we can only get that with -- surprise! -- money. i don't see how people expect nice roads but don't want to pay taxes

[Peter]

I'm not surprised that Cars.com would push a story like this. What's it's now two stories pushing higher gas taxes within just a few days? I won't hold my breath waiting for a story on why gas taxes should be lowered as it won't happen on this site. Cars.com has turned into a decent site but let's be dead honest Autotrader is much better for buying cars as it has better search options and tools. Both Edmunds and Car&Driver deliver higher quality written pieces and never push a hidden agenda. Just good quality automotive journalism.

[DL]

good deal, Peter. next time your car hits a pothole and ruins the wheel, just remember that