Posted on 05/20/2015 8:52:09 AM PDT by Enlightened1
Oregon is about to embark on a first-in-the-nation program that aims to charge car owners not for the fuel they use, but for the miles they drive.
The program is meant to help the state raise more revenue to pay for road and bridge projects at a time when money generated from gasoline taxes are declining across the country, in part, because of greater fuel efficiency and the increasing popularity of fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric cars.
Starting July 1, up to 5,000 volunteers in Oregon can sign up to drive with devices that collect data on how much they have driven and where. The volunteers will agree to pay 1.5 cents for each mile traveled on public roads within Oregon, instead of the tax now added when filling up at the pump.
Some electric and hybrid car owners, however, say the new tax would be unfair to them and would discourage purchasing of green vehicles.
"This program targets hybrid and electric vehicles, so it's discriminatory," said Patrick Connor, a Beaverton resident who has been driving an electric car since 2007.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
And then, eventually, they’ll do both.
Either or, it doesn't matter. What matters is that what used to be funds specifically earmarked for those projects are now being diverted into the general fund for other BS, so the money we directly pay via fuel or mileage tax is not 100% going to build/repair/maintain roads. They build green areas with them, bike paths, etc...
its like smoking...the govt statist have argued for eons it seems against the ravages of smoking, but have they made it criminal yet?...no, because OTOH, they need and depend on the tax revenue...
I have friends that travel many miles to the university that is treating both of them. Not only are their co-pays a lot their medications are expensive. Now add the miles they drive and these people are in real trouble physically and financially.
It’s always about the money.
Reminds me of the local water department who constantly preached conserving water and then had to raise rates to meet expenses because people weren't using as much water. More government run nonsense!
That's certainly a legitimate problem. Likewise, using toll road revenues to finance light rail is a misuse of funds.
torque applied to the road surface —
Do you mean torque, or load/pressure?
Rolling tires apply pressure, which increases with weight of vehicle plus its load.
Accelerating or braking tires apply a different force. Faster accelerating or harder breaking ‘pushes’ harder on the pavement.
So a smaller car, if it accelerates hard, will also affect the pavement. Electric cars have high torque motors and can accelerate quickly.
All vehicles can brake quite effectively, stressing the pavement, especially approaching stop sign.
I suggest that vehicle weight alone is not a way to discriminate for ‘fairness’ in per mile charge. Maybe hp per lb of vehicle weight should be included.
And for some /s, how do we charge hitchhikers’ foot traffic and homeless’ bicycles?
It’s not the taxes raised, but the costs aka the spending. I have a friend who plans RRs heavy, light, commuter, interstate, etc. Private railroads build for about $2 million/mile. The Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago’s intracity commuter provider, plans to build for $20 million/mile.
Do you see the real problem?
By definition, any system that proposes to raise money while ruling out any discussion of how it’s spent is a scam.
“The program is meant to help the state raise more revenue to pay for road and bridge projects”
The program is meant to help the state raise more revenue to pay for more profligate spending by the corrupt politicians.
Fixed for accuracy.
If the criminal elite are as serious as they appear to be in establishing another revenue drain on the middle class they'll not likely put much trust in the gullible.
I'm thinking 5,000 volunteers = 5,000 bureaucrats and other assorted party hacks more receptive to further instructions. And it would look great as a rezoomay enhancement for an ambitious pajama boy.
You’ve certainly identified a legitimate problem; one of many.
Here’s where I’m coming from.
“They” propose some new way of obtaining funds for highway (etc.) construction. In response, too many conservatives just bleat “Bastards! They’re scamming us!”.
It’s entirely possible that “they” are scamming us. Even probable, in many cases. But:
1) Roads etc. aren’t free.
2) The people who use them should pay for them.
3) The people who build, maintain, and repair them need be honest, efficient, and prompt in doing their jobs.
(3) above seems to be a huge problem with government owned roads.
I invite you to propose alternatives.
The Feds are literally taking in billions of dollars in gas tax revenues.
Where is the money going to?
My guess is that the “5000 volunteers” mostly own large vehicles that use a lot of fuel and they will be getting rebates on the gasoline tax that they pay.
The roads are already paid for with the annual tag Registry and Gas Taxes that are already factored in the price of a gallon at the pump.
Moreover, you have new car taxes and the state, city and local tax.
This will kill small businesses that have ship items or depend on many people. It will sky rocket prices too. People will then simply reduce their driving and buying which will slow down business, taxes and the entire state economy. People and businesses will eventually leave your state.
So... They have plenty of tax money.
They are just scamming you again..., and you are falling for hit hook, line and sinker.
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