Policy Making, Incrementalism, and News Discourse

Abstract

Gasoline taxes provide a significant source of funding for transportation in the United States but have failed to keep pace with system needs. This article examines the news media discourse surrounding proposed gasoline tax increases in eight states in 2008 and 2009: Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Idaho, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Oregon. Researchers use a frame analysis approach to examine the policy debate in these states. Results indicate that frequently occurring frames promoting gasoline tax increases emphasize the deterioration of the transportation system, funding shortfalls, and job creation. Frames opposing tax increases highlight difficult economic times, more efficient government, and general opposition to new taxes. In three of the four cases where states rejected gas tax increases, significant increases in transportation spending are provided through other revenue sources, an evidence of the shifting in financing transportation from user fees such as gas tax to other sources.