Posted on 12/31/2008 12:34:02 PM PST by hreardon
While the exact details are still being ironed out, Gov. Kulongoski's web page gives the basics of the plan. In it he states, "As Oregonians drive less and demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, it is increasingly important that the state find a new way, other than the gas tax, to finance our transportation system."
He is creating a task force "to partner with auto manufacturers to refine technology that would enable Oregonians to pay for the transportation system based on how many miles they drive." Key studies were performed in 2006 and 2007 that indicate that such a program would indeed be possible.
In the 2007 test which lasted 10 months with 300 motorists at two service stations, drivers were taxed 1.2 cents per mile and were refunded the 24 cents a gallon state gas tax. When the motorists got to the pump, their vehicles connected to government computers informing them of the mileage (calculated via GPS tracking) and issuing tax. Equipment for the test came from Oregon State University.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailytech.com ...
This is absolutely stupid and moronic.
The libs cry and whine about “giant, gas guzzling” SUVs destroying the planet.
Then, when a significant bunch of people convert to “green” cars and their gas mileage goes up and the gas tax revenue, naturally, goes down, the libs cry and whine about that.
Stupid, damn morons!
Well, “fairly sure” is about all that I can manage on most things in my life... LOL..
The data from the black boxes isn’t stored in a central database. This data will be and like the tollroad data in most states it will be discoverable by a simple civil request.
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You said — “Never trust government to do what they claim they will do.”
Well, I’m not saying that someone should not check on it, and verify that the actual money being collected by gas tax is actually matching the money spent on the roads (per legislative mandate). Sure, check it. And if it’s not matching up, then do something about it.
I just don’t think that gas taxes have ever exceeded the amounts that have been needed to do repairs, that’s all. I would be quite surprised to ever find out that gas taxes (for example) were 50% higher than the amounts actually spent on road repairs, and related stuff — and the 50% was going into the general fund...
What I meant was, border town residents could go into OR to purchase gas since it would not have any State Gas Tax included in it (I have since been informed there would be no repeal of the OR Gas Tax so this is kind of moot now).
But, as has been demonstrated, politicians are much more interested in, for example, building new bridges rather than maintaining or repairing old ones. Photo opps, names carved in concrete, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, y'know.
We are at a point where, I would submit, that 90% of all new road-building projects are essentially boondoggles. And that, at the same time, routine maintenance on existing roads and bridges is seriously under-funded and well behind schedule.
You said — “The data from the black boxes isnt stored in a central database. This data will be and like the tollroad data in most states it will be discoverable by a simple civil request.”
Yeah, on toll road data, because I can track myself on my toll road usage on my electronic device... LOL.. And..., that’s already been going on for a very long time, in several states. I can use it for parking and roads and some other expenses, too. But, then again, I use a card and that shows up on a central database. I use my phone and that shows up. My phone even has tracking... LOL..
Wouldn’t it be easier to describe what does *not* track you everywhere and store it in a central database... :-)
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In terms of this GPS-gas-tax-device, I did read that they would not construct it to transmit or record location positions, but only the mileage factor and this is what would be transmitted to the gas pump. So, it’s a question of whether that is true or not.
If it is true — it would be no more intrusive (if it won’t transmit the other data) than looking at your odometer on your car...
Can a public toilet tax be far behind?
Actually, I think our road and bridge infrastructure is in trouble, overall. I think it may require large amounts of spending to bring it all up-to-date. And I know that people are not going to be happy about that...
That is controlled by software - all it would take is a mandatory FOR THE CHILDREN update to enable it.
Seems like the case to me. A little more control over the "little people" and a little bit more of their earnings. Typical government, and it isn't just the liberals that think this way.
Maybe it is. But do you trust politicians or bureaucrats --state or federal -- to make a rational judgment on that subject? Or take rational action?
And you can bet that a substantial portion -- if not most -- of any tax increase is going to be diverted to useless public transportation projects -- which will then require massive subsidies.
If the only way we can effectively deal with these arrogant and incompetent hacks is by denying them our tax dollars, I'm all in favor of withholding them.
Sounds like double taxation.....paying for both the gas tax and milage at the same time.
You said — “Oregon isn’t stealing an gas tax money to fund “light rail” and other “mass transit”? That seems out of character for the flaming libs.”
Someone else would have to verify that one way or another. I can’t speak to it (don’t know for sure...). I could look it up, I’m sure, but so can someone else.. :-)
Instead of trying to go around money grabbers, try to think about this :
1- How much time you have on your hands and how much you make per hour. You may find it much cheaper to pay the tax.
2- Gasoline "cans" will be all over the place, especially if you have several cars with several drivers, like most families.
3- The stench and spillage of fuel aren't very healthy and it's certainly a fire hazard.
4- Why do we submit to such communist ideas to please our elected officials instead of recalling them outright?
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