Four of eight winners selected to receive a $250 prize to cover state gasoline taxes for one year; Program ends Labor Day
Charleston, W.Va. – Nearly 2,000 West Virginians have signed up as part of the 2009 Gas Tax Giveaway being hosted by West Virginians for Better Transportation. The statewide coalition is offering eight prizes that will cover a person’s average state gasoline taxes for a one-year period. All a person has to do is enter the contest after using the organization’s gasoline tax calculator http://www.keepwvmoving.org/gastax/default.aspx
As part of WVBT’s contest, a $250 gasoline debit card is being provided to a selected individual each week for an eight-week period (until Labor Day Weekend 2009). Individuals must enter by completing the on-line gas tax calculator. Each $250 debit card is equal, roughly, to what the average driver in West Virginia would pay in state gasoline taxes over a 12-month period.
So far, four individuals from around West Virginia have been selected from among the entrants to receive a $250 debit card:
? James Bull of Weirton (Hancock County)
? Farris Burton of West Hamlin (Lincoln County)
? Mike Nestor of Hedgesville (Berkeley County)
? Sherri Anderson of Lerona (Mercer County)
This is the second year that West Virginians for Better Transportation is sponsoring the contest, which is designed to promote use of the coalition’s gas tax calculator tool on its website. Visitors use the calculator to determine his or her gasoline taxes based on certain variables, such as average amount of travel and a vehicle’s gasoline mileage rate. The contest seeks to draw further attention to this calculator and, in turn, educate more West Virginians on how they are contributing to support the state’s transportation system.
State gasoline taxes are the major revenue source for West Virginia’s Road Fund, accounting for approximately 60 percent. The money is used for a variety of transportation-related activities, including:
• Maintenance and repairs to state roads and highways
• Snow removal services on state roads, bridges, highways and Interstates
• Paving (except roads maintained by cities)
• Bridge repairs and construction work
• Guardrails and other road safety barriers
• Matching transportation funding from the federal government
To access WVBT’s gas tax calculator and enter the “2009 Gas Tax Giveaway”, go to http://www.keepwvmoving.org/gastax/default.aspx.
West Virginians for Better Transportation is a statewide coalition working to educate West Virginians about the importance of maintaining a safe and modern transportation infrastructure. The coalition includes more than 260 organizations, groups, government leaders and companies that recognize and value the importance of a good surface transportation system. The coalition is spearheading an education campaign, called “Keep West Virginia Moving,” designed to generate public awareness of the state transportation system and foster debate about the ability to meet current and future needs. For more information, please go to www.keepwvmoving.org.