Consumption of gasoline and diesel in Texas is growing faster than at any time since the financial crisis, as an improving economy and lower fuel prices encourage more use of cars and trucks on the state’s roads. Receipts of motor fuel taxes in January 2015 were 9 percent higher than the same month in 2014, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Texas collected almost $288 million in motor fuel taxes last month compared with $264 million in January 2014, according to the comptroller’s monthly Revenue Watch report ( link.reuters.com/heg24w ). Tax rates have not changed so the revenue rise is directly attributable to increased sales volumes. Motor fuel taxes must be paid to the comptroller by the 25th day of the month after which they are collected by suppliers and distributors, so the January receipts are for gasoline and diesel sold in December. By […]