How Does Current Alabama Gas Tax Stack Up?

While we're not totally opposed to a an increased gasoline tax, we can definitely say that the majority of our readers are. Like our readers, we do want more accountability in spending in this state, especially concerning such pet projects as the proposed Agriculture Center.

How does our state currently stack up against 49 others in the gas tax category? Here are a few interesting facts based on the most recent numbers from July 2018:

1. Alabama ranks only 41st in state gasoline taxes, meaning 40 states have higher tax rates than we do.

2. The three most highly taxed states are Pennsylvania at .59/gallon, California .55/gallon, and Washington .49/gallon.

3. The three least taxed states are Alaska .15/gallon, Missouri .17/gallon, and Mississippi .19/gallon.

That brings us to the two local legislators who voted "Yes" on increasing the gasoline tax. What have Lynn Greer and Phillip Pettus done for this area? Especially Lynn Greer?

Rep. Greer, we're still waiting for you to introduce legislation either abolishing or amending the state's antiquated Certificate of Need law. When you think of Florence not getting a new cancer treatment center, be sure to think of Lynn Greer. Think of that loss again the next time you go to the polls.

So I lost us a cancer center? Thanks to me you can now legally have a shoot 'em up in your house of worship. It's all good!

Gas Tax Wars/Victoria's Secret Closings

How many miles a year do you drive? 12,000? That's an average according to our governor. If that's your number, then you can expect to pay $55.00 a year more for gasoline if the new 56% tax increase passes.

The upcoming week is expected to be pivotal in the tax vote. If you oppose the tax, contact your representatives now or forever hold your peace.

Victoria's Secret currently owns 1,143 outlets in the U.S. On Thursday, the lingerie giant announced that 53 of those stores would close by the end of 2019. Taking a cue from J.C. Penney, VS refused to list those outlets, stating only that they had already been chosen. Florence has one VS store located in the mall on Cox Creek Parkway.

Sorry, Hon. Dollar General Was the Only Store in Town.

Alabama Republicans Just Did Something Very Right

Besides standing water in roadways, we in Alabama may now have to extend our BOLO list to flying pigs and skating imps. Some Alabama politicians have just done something incredibly right, or at least 50% right, depending on your view.

In a pre-session meeting in Birmingham, our Republican state legislators just voted that in order to pass the increased gasoline tax, other taxes must be lowered. There was even talk of removing earmarking from taxation, but you and I may never see that particular move in our lifetimes.

So what will be reduced? Tax on groceries! This is a start, but haven't many promised to remove all taxes on food? Why, yes. Yes, they have. 

Perhaps we should look at it as a partial blessing. Indeed, the session hasn't started yet. Perhaps in the end all tax on groceries will be removed. Don't forget to contact your representatives to request that.

The new legislative session starts March 5th. Let's hope a positive trend continues in Montgomery. Just don't hold your breath...

Okay, they may not be flying, but at least they're moving in the right direction!

How Much Is Proposed State Gasoline Tax Addition?

We've been reading several figures concerning an increase in the state gasoline tax, but apparently nothing is set in stone. What is it now?

For 25 years, the gasoline tax has been .18 per gallon. Two years ago, a bill failed to pass that would have raised the tax by .09 over a seven year period ending in 2024. 

Now the Montgomery pundits say it's not when, but how much. We broached the subject several days ago and asked what readers thought of toll roads. Very few had an opinion, but those who did were against them.

What else will the March legislative session take up? Some grandstanding bills concerning SNAP benefits and cash payments to those in dire need have already been pre-filed. One such bill would require drug testing of at least some SNAP recipients. A few states already require this testing, but is it economical? Or perhaps even more concerning, is it legal?

Federal court rulings have said:

Drug testing for SNAP has been allowed under only two circumstances. The first instance is that in some states, people convicted of drug felonies can only be eligible for SNAP benefits if they submit to a drug test. As of 2017, this modified ban is in place in four states, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The second instance is that people who are disqualified from TANF (or another means-tested program) for failing a drug test or not participating in a required one may be disqualified from SNAP as well. 

In other words, if Alabama did pass a law requiring these drug tests, you can be sure that the law(s) would be challenged in court. Here's an idea, why don't we see how much money the state has lost over the years in defending unconstitutional legislation and determine how far it would have gone toward infrastructure? 

These laws aren't so "feel good" when the average taxpayer sees just how much money they cost.

The Gas Tax Is Coming, the Gas Tax Is Coming!

Gov. Kay Ivey has stated she wants an increased gasoline tax in order to fund much needed road repairs in the state. We predict that the tax, in some form, will be passed during the current legislative session. (If we're wrong, it wouldn't be the first time.)

Tax is as old as government itself. How often have you seen taxes lowered? Perhaps more to the point, how else can the state expect to pay for our roads? There is one way, but it's something most of us have not seen in this area in our lifetime. The operative word is TOLL. 

Tell us what you think. If you don't travel a certain road, should you have to pay for it? If you don't want increased gasoline taxes, are you willing to support the alternative of toll roads?

Now from the pothole capital of the Shoals, here's Sheffield Shelly: 

Per your piece on term limits in Sheffield-Believe me, much of the apathy among citizens is due to the fact that they feel ignored. I know several people who have volunteered for vacancies on various boards within the city, but they have been ignored by their city council representatives. There’s a tiny group of people in Sheffield that controls everything. They continue to name and re-name their friends and people whom they feel they can control to these boards so they can be assured of having things run to their liking.

We're often asked about our writers, especially those who write in Colbert County in general and Sheffield in particular. J. Redmon (male) and Sheffield Shelly (female) do live in Sheffield as we've said. The Midnight Rider has commented on Sheffield a great deal, but as far as we know does live, as he says, in the wilds of eastern Colbert County. Leslie M. Shoals resides in Muscle Shoals. 

All other contributors with the exception of one live in Lauderdale County. If you would like to be a regular blogger, send us your columns. Just no vulgarities or libelous statements, please. We also solicit (read: beg for) blogs on local eateries for Quad-Cities Cuisine.