WVBT’s Weekly ‘Gas Tax Giveaway’ To Help Educate Drivers About State Gas Tax Payments

WVBT’s Weekly ‘Gas Tax Giveaway’ To Help Educate Drivers About State Gas Tax Payments  

Publication: WVBT Press Release
Release Date: 07/07/08

Charleston, W.Va. – Want a holiday from state gas taxes for a year? That is an option being put forth by West Virginians for Better Transportation. The statewide coalition is offering a prize that will cover a person’s average state gasoline taxes for a one-year period. All a person has to do is enter their information after using the organization’s new gas tax calculator http://www.keepwvmoving.org/gastax/default.aspx

West Virginians for Better Transportation recently launched the gas tax calculator tool on its website as a way to show state drivers who much they are paying in West Virginia gasoline taxes, which determines this based on a person’s average amount of travel and the gas mileage of his or her vehicle. The contest seeks to draw further attention to this calculator and, in turn, educate West Virginians on how much they are contributing to the state Road Fund.

As part of WVBT’s contest, a $250 gasoline debit card will be provided to a selected individual each week for the next eight weeks (until Labor Day Weekend 2008). Individuals who complete the gas tax calculator will have an opportunity to sign up for the weekly drawing. The $250 debit card is equal, roughly, to what the average driver in West Virginia would pay over 12 months in state gasoline taxes.

“WVBT is an education organization, and we felt this contest would encourage people to visit our online calculator,” said Joe Deneault, WVBT chairman. “After completing the calculator information and entering to win the contest, we’re hoping this will get more people to learn about their contribution to our roads, bridges and highways.”

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

Although motorists are getting frustrated with the continued affects of escalating oil prices, many may not be aware how our transportation system is funded, Deneault explained. They also probably don’t realize that the state’s gasoline taxes are not keeping up with the needs to repave our roads, fix our bridges, build new highways or relieve traffic congestion areas.
 
"One of WVBT’s major goals is to help people to understand how important a safe and modern transportation system is and to highlight the significant challenges, which will require all of us to work together to develop a long-term plan," Deneault said.

To access WVBT’s gas tax calculator and enter the “Gas Tax Giveaway”, go to http://www.keepwvmoving.org/gastax/default.aspx.

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