Posted on 11/15/2004 3:56:05 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - A veteran of state transportation programs, who also served on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's reorganization committee, was named to head the Department of Motor Vehicles Monday.
Joan Borucki, 48, began her career with CalTrans in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become chief deputy director of the California Transportation Commission. Most recently she also served as a team leader on infrastructure issues on the California Performance Review, the governor's effort to streamline the state bureaucracy.
Among the recommendations from the Performance Review is the creation of a massive new department to oversee water, energy, growth, housing and transportation. The report also called for the elimination of scores of boards and commissions, including the California Transportation Commission.
In a statement, Schwarzenegger said Borucki "is committed to my goal of making government more responsive to the people."
The appointment requires confirmation from the state Senate. Borucki, a Democrat, will earn $123,255 a year.
An announcement is expected in the coming days about a new position for the acting director of the DMV, Chon Gutierrez.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/10301191p-11221326c.html
Tax on vehicle miles urged Fees on gas should be based on distance, not fuel use, panel says.
--snip--
That scenario was among the most notable recommendations this week from a select group of transportation advisers participating in the California Performance Review (CPR) process for reforming state government.
It is based on the concept that vehicles should pay for their use of the roads, not their use of gas.
Transportation task force leader Joan Borucki said her group is suggesting the idea to help the state increase or maintain important gas pump revenues even as vehicles become more fuel efficient.
"The gas tax is becoming less and less effective," said Borucki, who is also an executive with the California Transportation Commission. "We need to look at (other) options now."
Arrgghh.
This is stupid. Does this mean that we will be required to maintain a log of our mileage within the state of California? As dispicable as it is, gasoline tax is a reflection of in-state usage. The governator appears to be losing it.
Auto manufacturers will be required to have little black boxes installed to monitor the autos for compliance etc..
Only a matter of time.
Why is anyone surprised at the Gub's direction?
This guy is getting scary. I thought he was to bring in some common sense kinds of folk to cut the fat, not just add another volume to the tax code. He'd better get it together quick.
Well, isn't this just special. I'm just so happy about this latest appointment. I'm really looking forward to having a little device in my car to record my mileage, and paying taxes by the mile.
She may be paid that much but I doubt she will ever earn any of it.
It's a Pay as you Go thing, keep telling yourself.
Somebody has to watch your pennies for ya and your big leadfoot. . ;-)
Tyranny in the making, sponsored by the I-drive-an-SUV crowd. Stop it now.
Transportation task force leader Joan Borucki said her group is suggesting the idea to help the state increase or maintain important gas pump revenues even as vehicles become more fuel efficient.
But, but, but, I thought they WANTED us to buy fuel efficient cars!
IIRC, trucks do the vast bulk of damage to roads and do not pay their way compared to cars. Further, the loads per axle trucks are allowed to carry in California are higher than elsewhere in North America. It would seem to me that these factors should be considered before "pay per mile" which would be a nightmare to administer and an invasion of privacy to boot.
"Tax on vehicle miles urged Fees on gas should be based on distance, not fuel use, panel says."
So let me get this straight, if you figure out a way to modify your engine so that you can get a thousand miles per gallon of gasoline, you get punished for driving that thousand miles, and you get punished MORE than someone who has to use, say a thousand gallons to go those thousand miles? Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. Not that I think you should be punished for driving or using gas, but these Democrats are chasing their own tails.
She's a Democrat, but I suppose she isn't a very 'green' Democrat.
I don't know about California, but here in Tennessee, the more you drive, the more fuel you use and the more fuel you use, the more taxes you pay.
No, whenever you get your annual vehicle emissions test, they will put the current vehicle mileage down and when you renew your tags, they will look at last year's reading and charge you accordingly. I say slip the emissions tester $20 and have him halve the mileage.
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