Tree Huggers Reduce Tax Revenues Across The Country

who'd of thunk it . . .

It's finally happening, Americans are driving less and do so in more fuel efficient cars and we have our friends in the Environmentalist Wacko movement to thank. Yes, they have finally gotten what they have dreamed of for years, heck generations.

I think we can all agree that it's good that we are improving our fuel efficiency, I don't think anyone quibbles with that goal.

Now, I'm sure what is coming as quite a shock to our friends on the Left is that they also are responsible for cutting tax receipts through their efforts! Yes, let that one sink in for a second. The Left who worship at the alter of the almighty Tax Increase reduced tax receipts? 

You see automobiles are more fuel-efficient, people are driving less and, increasingly in many parts of the country, they are driving automobiles that aren’t powered by petroleum at all. The result is less fuel being used consequently less tax being paid. Add in the Obama-economic-malaise that we are still in and you will find states across the country and Mr. Obama's and his Democrats in Congress scrambling in the wake of large revenue shortfalls into the various state and federal highway coffers.

So what an interesting web we weave. The Left pushes for efficiency never realizing that in doing so it reduces the mother's milk of it's movement - TAX RECEIPTS.

So it will be interesting to watch the Left's allies in Washington and throughout the state legislatures try to find a solution to this revenue shortfall. In Washington, they might want to start by ending the current diversion of 25% of the gas-tax funds to non-highway building projects such as Amtrak and metro busing; streetcar and subway budgets. These are all local responsibilities not federal but then again, Obama and the Dems think everything is Federal because they are smarter than the rest of local folk.

How ironic this all is.

The map below is from last fall. I would imagine that some of these numbers have increased as state legislatures try to find ways to close the fiscal deficits that each is facing.