Russell Keesecker, a retiree, spends approximately $15 per year in state gas taxes
Special to Huntingtonnews.com
Weston, WV (HNN) – Russell Keesecker received a welcome surprise Monday, July 28 as he was chosen as the third winner of West Virginians for Better Transportation’s Gas Tax Giveaway. Keesecker was randomly selected out of the nearly 1,800 entrants to the contest thus far and will now receive a $250 gasoline debit card.
West Virginians for Better Transportation (WVBT) launched the contest on July 7 and the entries have been flooding in ever since. The prize is intended to cover a person’s average state gasoline taxes for a one-year period, which is $250.
Keesecker actually pays far less. As a retiree, he estimates driving between 25 and 30 miles a week. Keesecker said he drives a few different vehicles, getting an average of 30 miles per gallon between all of them. That equates to a little more than $15 in annual state gasoline taxes. With the $250 prize, Keesecker will be able to cover roughly 16 years of his state gasoline taxes.
The contest runs through September 1 and is open to all West Virginia residents 18 years or older. 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.
“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.
#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.