Two-thirds of Americans would vote against a 20-cent per gallon state tax dedicated to funding road and bridge repairs, according to a Gallup poll released Monday.
According to the poll, 66 percent of Americans would reject the gas tax, while only 29 percent would support it.
The data were collected in poll conducted April 9-10, about two weeks after Maryland lawmakers passed the first gas tax increase in 20 years, which will take full effect with its 13- to 20-cent increase by mid-2016. Maryland’s gas tax is intended to help fund the state’s infrastructure and mass-transit projects.
The poll also concluded that Democrats are more likely than Republicans or independents to support a gas tax increase for transportation and infrastructure funding, and lower- and upper-income Americans are far more likely to vote in favor of a gas tax increase.
Americans living in the West are most likely to support the increase, with residents of the East following closely behind. Americans in the Southern and Midwestern areas are least likely to vote in favor of it.
Though at least 17 states have passed or are considering passing a gas tax, some states are looking at alternatives like increased sales taxes or a pay-per-mile fee. Tolls may also be an option.
