Bill would add nickel to pay-at-pump gas purchases

[ChoralScholar]

From the (Conway, AR)Log Cabin Democrat http://www.thecabin.net/stories/030905/loc_0309050007.shtml

LITTLE ROCK - Motorists in Arkansas would pay another nickel each time they use plastic to pay for gas at the pump under legislation intended to help improve the state's highways.

Rep. Phillip Jackson, R-Berryville, said Tuesday the legislation he introduced at Monday's bill filing deadline could be an alternative source of revenue for a $1 billion highway bond program or go into the state's general treasury if it couldn't be tied to road improvements.

"If we get some reasonable data and it looks like something that's viable, then I'll talk to the governor about it and the highway department to see if they'll support it," Jackson said.

Under the bill, fuel retailers would add 5 cents extra to each purchase made by use of a credit or debit card, gift card or any other method of electronic payment.

[illflem]

1. Stupid idea

people will just go inside to pay with cash to avoid the tax.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Oh PLEASE!!!

Please, repukes, keep hiking taxes! Keep illustration you haven't one stated core belief that can withstand hard times! Please, keep it up!

Go! Go! Go!

We Democrats will be patient and then do what we do best: clean up the mess you left. Someone has to be the adults in this relationship.

[FloridaPat]

3. Besides being stupid, it could be illegal. not suppose to discriminate

against credit card holders. Remember when you use to get gas 3 cents cheaper if you didn't use a credit card? That was stopped. This sounds like the same thing.

[madinmaryland]

4. Am I missing something here?

How do highway improvements get paid for? I thought that whoever uses them should also pay for the improvement. As much as I hate additional costs of gas, is there another way?

What will probably happen, is that retailers will just jack up the price for everyone and pocket the nickel a gallon that the cash customer pays with.