Posted on 01/03/2009 8:58:28 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Oregon is among a growing number of states exploring ways to tax drivers based on the number of miles they drive instead of how much gas they use, even going so far as to install GPS monitoring devices in 300 vehicles.
The idea first emerged nearly 10 years ago as Oregon lawmakers worried that fuel-efficient cars such as gas-electric hybrids could pose a threat to road upkeep, which is paid for largely with gasoline taxes.
"I'm glad we're taking a look at it before the potholes get so big that we can't even get out of them," said Leroy Younglove, a Portland driver who participated in a recent pilot program.
The proposal is not without critics, including drivers who are concerned about privacy and others who fear the tax could eliminate the financial incentive for buying efficient vehicles.
But Oregon is ahead of the nation in exploring the concept, even though it will probably be years before any mileage tax is adopted.
Congress is talking about it, too. A congressional commission has envisioned a system similar to the prototype Oregon tested in 2006-2007.
The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing is considering calling for higher gas taxes to keep highways, bridges and transit programs in good shape.
But over the long term, commission members say, the nation should consider taxing mileage rather than gasoline as drivers use more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.
As cars burn less fuel, "the gas tax isn't going to fill the bill," said Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
GPS on my vehicle? I know, I’m not an Oregon resident, but it’s a matter of time before someone in this state suggests it. Did these idiots ever hear of the Fourth Amendment?
As a hybrid owner and advocate, I am more than concerned about the idiot thinking behind this. The government says it wants lower consumption and pollution, and then lays in a plan to tax those who are silly enough to comply with the government’s plans.
I should be clear that the key here is simply expanding the government’s ability to tax into new territory. Government types have no problem with total contravention of stated public policy if it gets in the way of indefinite revenue expansion.
So they wanted us to drive hybrids, but then we did, so now they need to raise taxes to compensate?
Go back to providing for the national defense, as well as maintaining the Post Office, and the Feds will have the money.
Our taxes will be lower, and thus we will spend more in this economy.
The idea is to find a way to fund the ever-increasing costs of maintaining Public Highways. If one is buying less gasoline (and paying less gasoline tax) but using the same roads driving a hybrid, one can certainly argue that vehicle is not paying it’s fair share of road maintenance taxes, which in Oregon is where most of the money for highway maintenance comes from. On some level it is reasonable to examine alternatives so that these alternative fueled vehicles pay their share of the costs.
Of course, perhaps some would prefer to go back to the good old days like in the 1970’s where some States issued pothole-per-mile estimates to help drivers plan which back roads to take instead of the Interstate. I recall those days when it would cost my Dad a pair of tires just to make to 50 mile trip into Cleveland and back on I-90.
Gotta pay for roads somehow...
ok. Hovercraft, helio-transports are needed. Grab me an ultralight. Map of the earth, guys.
When are normal people going to get fed up?
I absolutely do not want GPS on my vehicle. Find another way to determine miles. Plus they must stop the gas tax at the same time.
Simply put it’s surrendering freedom to feed the government. Be warned a*holes, Americans will not put up with this. Or you. No joke.
Gov and politicans are like drug addicts. They keep needing more and more to get high and they are creative and manipulative to get what they need. In Cal they have massively overdosed and still seek more.
Maybe they should make us pre-approve all trips before we touch their precious roads.....
I understand completely and agree about the GPS...what about an automatic tolling system that recognizes your car, and automatically debits your bank account for the toll fees??
The alternative is to pay a significantly higher toll in cash.
That’s a thumbnail sketch of the system that’s in place right now on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the Pugetopolis area in Washington...
I think it would be a good idea to put all of these scum bag politicians out on road crews helping to repair potholes. That way they would have to take time of from plotting ways to take more tax payer’s dollars.
Putting a GPS on a car to monitor milage has a big brother feel to it. I would never buy a car with a tracking device installed, although I have heard that this is already in some cars as part of the system that gives directions via computer.
I wonder what they would do if you disabled the device on YOUR car. Probably write a law making it a criminal offence punishable by heavy fines. If the creeps can’t get your money one way they will get it another way.
Roads must be kept up but this is too invasive. Maybe toll roads (with no gas tax) would be better with a set rate that can not be raised without tax payer approval at the polls. Also no loop holes for the “poor” If you can’t afford the tolls then use free town roads.
Sorry BC, you’ve half-bought into their fraud. They have plenty of our money to build roads and provide a few other basics. Cut the crap and it’s almost all crap.
Hope I’m not being to harsh, but the Cards won and I’m in a charitable mood
I have to laugh at all the f@cking liberals.
Be smug, drive a hybrid, get your ass taxed because you are now EVADING gas taxes (the mentality of your liberal government overlords).
And for you f@ck liberal paper pushers, you now start jumping on the backs of the very people who are, in your own minds, saving the planet, and heeding your call to drive more efficient vehicles? And you stab them in the back? You f@#cks. You’d tax your own mothers to death if you could. Go retro and tax all the old people for driving really sh1tty cars that got 5-10 miles a gallon on LEADED gas. Bastards.
All you libs. Love to see it when two liberal philosophies come slamming right f@cking into each other. Just love it.
They will never give up the gas tax if had a miles tax. Gas like tobacco is evil. They will keep raising the gas tax till people couldn’t afford to drive anymore or at least to the point where they limit our movement dramatically.
If we simply brought back the chain gang, we could fix the roads and combat crime in one fell swoop. And, there would be no new taxes.
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