I find it ironic that the two headlines in today's Wn Post are "McDonnell wants to end Va gas tax" and "Nation sets recors for heat last year". Science has long confirmed that global warming is cause by burning fossil fuels. Shouldn't we be discouraging the use of gasoline by raising the gas tax?

Yes, considering that the energy policy goal is more mileage to the gallon and the use of non-gas powered vehicles.

Science has not confirmed that global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels. The world has been warming for 10,000 years since the last ice age. No new taxes - no new sales taxes - no new taxes period. The government tales in enough money to do everything that is required. It is a spending money problem, not a tax problem.

Really bad. First, given the overwhelming consensus on the reality of global climate change we should be discouraging more driving, not incentivizing it. Eliminating the gas tax will do just that. And couple that with the surcharge on alternative fuel vehicles you are in essence only charging those who have taken some responsibility for reducing their fossil fuel usage, a user fee, while letting HumVee drivers pay virtually nothing!. Second, one-third of the proposal relies on federal funding. I thought Governor 10th amendment was opposed to such things. It raids the general fund and diverts part of the revenue derived from sales taxes towards transportation (meaning roads), and away from education. Not to mention the sales tax is the single most regressive tax levied.This thing should die a very quick death!!!

Gas was 90 cents a gallon in 1986 and the gas tax is 17.5 cents. Take gas now at 4 times the 1986 level and our tax per gallon would equal 70 cents. Go ahead and raise the gas tax then tie it to inflation. Use the gas tax for roads and bridges not bike paths and sidewalks. Raise the sales tax 1/2 of 1% and get a handle on our infrastructure problems. Quit wasting money by giving it to the MWAA!

Totally agree with Joe Brewer

Using gas tax money for bike paths is pork in a bicycle form. Get the money for paths from the general fund, charge bicycle users for a liceinse, charge a odometer fee for cars but leave the gas tax for it's only intended purpose which is roads and bridges. Use part of the1/2% raise in sales tax for the paths but do both or you'll just be nibbling at the edges of a huge problem. This way you bite it in the ass, no pork. Same as the Sandy relief bill don't pass it until the pork is removed.

Whats silly is that the politicans get away with adding pork because people have the attitude at any cost. Pure and simple bs. Passed 10 billion just the other day to help with claims now get the pork withdrawn

A engineer that says we have reached our limit on road widening is a engineer whose projects were built should be named so i can avoid them.

McDonnell's plan is a very good one. Since travel by car has become a virtual necessity for accessing work or just going grocery shopping, the burden of the gas tax falls most heavily on people of lowest income. Replacing it with the sales tax removes that burden and gives the consumer the choice of the commodity upon which to spend his/her money.

You know what, McDonnell should go for the full 6% like Maryland has. It would only go up 5 cents per $5, meaning instead of a $5 Subway sandwich costing 5.25, it would cost $5.30. Not bad, considering that same sandwich costs $5.45 in Arlington and Alexandria. They should also raise taxes on cigarettes.

As far as the gas tax, if it's gone; it wouldn't make much of a difference. Take it away, but instead tax fuel guzzlers like Land Cruisers and Sequoias. We should never be taxed for fuel, but instead taxed for owning the cars that use up a lot of fuel. It makes more sense.

True statements here:
McDonnell’s plan would hit the poor, while letting the richest Virginian’s (not to mention any out of state drivers passing through) off largely scot-free

“Eliminating the gas tax paid by highway users and raising taxes on all other Virginians to pave our roads makes no sense”, said State Sen. Chap Petersen (D). “Indeed, eliminating our traditional road funding because cars are more efficient makes about as much sense as canceling your child’s college fund because tuition keeps rising”.

Gov. Bob McDonnell’s (R-VA) transportation bill passed the House of Delegates Finance Committee, moving past its first hurdle in the state’s 2013 General Assembly session. In a 14-8 vote along party lines, the committee passed McDonnell’s package, which calls for eliminating the state’s 17.5 cents per gallon gas tax and raising the state sales tax from 5% to 5.8%.