Gas Tax and Growth

This week, long-time North Carolina political columnist Rob Christensen writes about the present debate over raising the gas tax in North Carolina. Writing in the Raleigh News and Observer, Christensen gives a brief history of North Carolina’s strong commitment to road construction.

The quality and volume of North Carolina’s roads have been instrumental in the state’s population growth and industrialization. The traditional commitment of North Carolina’s government to finance business-friendly infrastructure like roads and higher education has led to the present economic and population boom of the state’s urban and suburban areas. North Carolina’s century-long investment in its economic infrastructure is unique for a Southern state.

“… North Carolina has the second-largest state-maintained road system in the country, trailing only Texas.”

From Christensen’s article, it is apparent that the gas-tax debate is nothing new. It is not likely to be silenced in the near future; especially with rising energy costs and the rapid growth of the state.

“Today it is estimated that North Carolina will be $11 billion short for roads during the next decade. That may be something to think about the next time you are sitting in a traffic jam listening to a talk show host complain that a gas tax increase is not needed.”