DAVIS SIGNALS PLAN TO SIGN SUV LEGISLATION

THE RUSH LIMBAUGH SHOW | M. Garrett

[MattGarrett]

Rush Limbaugh read a story today which states that Gray Davis plans to sign the SUV Tax Bill. AB 1493 (formerly known as AB 1058) will give California Air Resources Board the go ahead to work on ways to reduce "greenhouse gases." In one report CARB authored, they suggested the per mile tax, gas tax increase and SUV tax. Proponents of the bill are quick to argue that this bill does not raise taxes and CARB does not have the authority to enact any of their suggestions.

The bill will affix a tax of 2 cents for every mile driven in an SUV, MiniVan or truck, 50 extra cents per gallon of gasoline, and $3500 on all SUV, Minivan, or truck purchases.

Politicians pulled a dirty trick and changed the bill number, reinstating AB 1058 as AB 1493 late on a Friday night. They ran it through the legislature and passed it a Monday afternoon - with no comment from the public.

Stating that the bill creates the perfect balance between driver choice and responsible environmental policy, Davis indicated his intention to sign the bill.

[Guillermo]

Your question has probably been answered already, but, oh well, I'll answer it again.

When you get your emissions tested, they notate the mileage into their computer, which is connected online to the DMV's computer.

So there you have it. The DMV has a record of your mileage, and when you go into get your tag renewed, they simply subratract the previous years mileage from the current mileage and voila. Divide by 50 and there's your tax.

[RonF]

"Watch them make it a criminal offense to tamper with the odometers."

I believe that you'll find it already is. It illicitly changes the value of the vehicle for both resale and insurance purposes. Of course, when I worked for a dealership, they had an "odometer angel" that came in and handled such matters....

[ElkGroveDan]

How are they going to tax mileage?

Annual registration comes to mind. You drive into a window at the DMV, the clerk notes your mileage and hands you a lip of paper to submit with your registration form.

[KneelBeforeZod]

Rush also stated that 48% of the vehicles on CA roads are SUV's, looks like Davis will put the final nail in his own coffin.

whoa. well, rush says a LOT of things.

that being said...I was up in tahoe for the 4th. Yet another SUV was either tailgating or in this case, driving 63mph in the fast lane--then speeding up when someone tried to pass. Until I got to that westbound uphill grade on hwy 80 at Applegate...and passed him going 100mph. There are a lot of SUVs, but by no means 50%, even if you add trucks.

I should say though, not every truck of SUV is a menace driver, especially in the sierras where they just get dusted in the mountains.

[Shryke]

The rats don't realize that we drive SUV's to protect - gasp - THE CHILDREN (tm). This is going to bite them Big Time if it ever comes to pass. From their own victim book, too.

I hate to tell you this, but the idea that SUVs are safer in accident situations is erroneous. I happen to be GOP, and worked for a very large car insurance company for 3 years. Simply put, in any accident occurring over the very lowest of speeds, SUV's are the worst thing you want to be in - aside from a motorcycle. They cannot break well, the cannot steer well, and they have very high centers of gravity (they flip). Anyone who packs their kids into an SUV thinking they are "safer" suffers from some serious misconceptions. The sad joke of the matter is that the car companies themselves promulgated the misconceptions, for profit reasons. First, profit margins on SUVs are almost completely supporting our three major car companies profits. Second, SUVs cost quite a bit more to fix than a standard car after an accident - they tend to suffer more damage (they are super crush-zone oriented vehicles). Third, the weight of the vehicles produces higher repair costs. SO the company makes more money when you buy it, makes more money keeping it running, and makes more money when you wreck it (or someone wrecks it for you).This is why so many car companies spend so much advertising their SUVs and their "Safety Ratings". Their profits would be laughable without strong SUV sales.

In this day and age, I cannot see how some illusory "safety" that comes with an SUV merits the WASTE it represents - and let's not forget who's gets our oil money.

[ElkGroveDan]

Simon could go on national TV, announce he's having a sex change operation, is going to open a chain of abortion clinics, and that the spirit of Anton LeVey has taken over his body, and he'll still beat Davis by at least 10 points.

ROTFLMAO!!!

[Grampa Dave]

You are a Car Nazi, and your comment was not lighthearted.

It showed how you feel about those who drive SUVs!

My remarks to you and other Car Nazis shows how we feel about your so called lightheartedness!

Car Nazis and their buddies (often the same, the Enviral Nazis) are in for some rough times as the rest of us say: "Just go to Hell!" "Kiss my SUV's rear bumper!"

[BOBTHENAILER]

Or he can put the grenade between his legs and sign this new tax on every SUV owner in Kali. That will cost him at least 500,000 to a million votes.

There you go Dave. He might pull the pin on the grenade Burton handed him.

[demlosers]

Nice try. These points have been deleted from the bill that is now before the governor. I agree that it is a bogus bill, but we don't have to lie about the facts now to win our points. Or do we?

So pressure from opponents have gutted the SUV bill of all taxes? So what's left in the bill worth anything for the Environ. Wackos?

[Dimensio]

Perhaps it is a regional issue. I never claimed any absolutes.

[tortoise]

I'm scratching my head on this one? Is a gas pump attendant going to note your driving a SUV and tax accordingly?

My understanding is that the gas tax applies to everyone. Those with bigger gas tanks (e.g. SUVs) will get hammered harder once everyone is forced to use vastly more expensive gas. It is a generic gas tax, not just gas tax for SUVs. They want to make it too expensive for people to operate an SUV.

[Dimensio]

You are a reactionary twit. Do not tell me that you are a better judge of my state of mind than I am.

I made no statements to the effect that people should not purchase or drive SUVs. Your persistence in calling me a "Car Nazi" despit my having stated this once before removes any doubt that you were simply mistaken and as such it is clear that you are a liar.

[goldstategop]

GrayDown's going after the Green vote threatening to break 5%. Gotta keep the extreme socialists onboard in the fall...

[Schatze]

The original post has some incorrect information. The parts about another 50-cent-per-gallon increase in gas taxes and a two-cent tax on every mile driven apply to all passenger vehicles.

The state can collect the 2-cent tax when people have to come in for their smog checks. The technician always takes down the car's mileage, and that information is transmitted to the state's computers.

Still laughing?

[Schatze]

See my post #94.

[Schatze]

See my post #94.

[Toidylop]

Yike... this is just another class envy from the lefts being disguised as protecting the environment!!!

[biblewonk]

The soccer moms who drive the SUVs vote against their own husband's paycheck in election after election.

Do men still marry women in California?

[goldstategop]

Yeah but as soon as GrayDown signs it signatures will be collected for a referendum. If there isn't one this fall there will be in 2004. Assuming it actually makes it to the ballot, the law in question will be suspended from being implemented til the voters settle the issue. And there there are lawsuits certain to be filed with the court the moment this bill is signed. GrayDown thinks he may have locked up the enviro wacko vote, but this is far from over.

[Schatze]

See my post #94.