A Republican Senator from Tennessee, Bob Corker, has come out in favor of increasing the federal gasoline tax to 30.4 cents a gallon from 18.4 cents, and indexing it to inflation thereafter. The Tax Foundation passes along the claim that this "would not raise taxes overall; they plan to offset the increased revenues with tax cuts elsewhere – possibly by making permanent some of the 'tax extenders' – temporary provisions that face expiration from year to year."
My two reactions were:
1. For this we need Republicans?
2. Notice that the offsetting tax cuts are described as a "plan" or "possibly," while the tax increase is specific and precise.