While diesel engines are much better with MPG ratings, I remember being told along time ago they produced more pollutants that a gasoline engine ... ever notice that black smoke coming out of the tailpipe?

Anyway, the gas tax means everyone on the road is paying their fair share for road maintenance, equally. Without the tax, then cities, counties, states and the federal government will have to develop new revenue resources ... or ... sell off all the roads to private business interests who will take over road maintenance activities, but at a cost to motorists. Keep in mind, their toll fees will not only consist of the costs for materials, equipment, labor and administrative costs, it will also include their profit. Just think ... an exponential growth rate of 7% annually, means you can expect the cost to double every ten years.

The article stated gas tax has not increased since 1993. So it would be foolish to let the roads and highways fall into disrepair to service a no new tax pledge because where a tax isn't levied to support a function a toll must be administered which will include a profit margin for providing the service. In other words, we'll all end up paying more out-of-pocket for access to the roads and highways because some people think the tax at the pump is too costly .which it's not.