Pricing of roads has been a mantra in transportation economics for many decades now. The basic economic reasoning is sound: optimal consumption of a road is set where price=marginal cost (P=MC) and the lack of a price or the presence of underpricing will lead to economically inefficient levels...

In 1986, Congress enacted a reform of the tax system touching almost every segment of society. Marginal tax rates were reduced, numerous deductions were limited or restricted and some activities were made subject to tax for the first time. Tax reform was designed to eliminate loopholes and...