Posted on 07/06/2006 1:25:43 PM PDT by proudofthesouth
I heard about the following on Fox News today and could hardly believe it. Thought fellow Freepers would be interested in this. After all, what starts in the western part of the U.S. usually heads eastward.
In 1919, Oregon was the first state to tax gasoline. This fall, the state will launch the nation's first high-tech experiment to tax drivers for the miles they travel rather than the gas they buy. The program is the first step in a long-term plan to replace the state's gasoline tax, which pays for about 40 percent of Oregon 's road projects. As in many states, Oregon officials are worried gas tax revenues won’t be able to keep up with the rising costs of road building, especially with improved mileage from both traditional and hybrid cards...............see link for rest of article
http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=32957
(Excerpt) Read more at stateline.org ...
I agree with you Ko, I think the concept if good in principle, as it is a very fair system if the money is earmarked only for the roads.
However, we all know what happens when the government does anything, it screws it up. There is no doubt the money would be misused, another beaurocrisy would be created, and the data would get in the wrong hands and be used against you.
I would have a hard time voting for something like this.
That's a damned good question.
I've been looking around sites about the UN, it has their odor all over it.
Wait a minute - you ever think how stupid it is to pump your own gas when you can have someone else do it for the same price? Our gas is the same or cheaper than Washington's and I'll guarantee you it's cheaper than California's. I've been to 44 of 50 states and lived in the midwest and Cal, and there's no place I'd rather be than here. We love road trips and all travel, but we're always glad to come home to Oregon: Mild winters, mild summers, enough rain to keep it green and whiners away, and the best goldern customer service in the country.
Could the mileage tax be a back door entrance for Koyoto?
Here in Nebraska they just realized that people were starting to conserve fuel and travel less, so in order to keep tax revenue up they raised the gas tax.
"If you want to imagine the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face forever." - George Orwell (1984)
Just thought I'd throw that in there for your consideration. ;)
Looks like this is how they'll do it.
Mileage tax would be assessed at fueling stations, as the on-board mileage counter communicates with mileage readers at the pump. For the pilot program, the gas tax will be deducted from the total sale and replaced with the mileage tax.
The story is...HERE
WOW! I might be an Pri#k or something, but I always get this urge to push a kid off his bike when I see them riding with a helmet around the driveway.
Now I used to ride 3 to 4 hundred miles a week in my younger days so I understand there use.
But the driveway or Cul De Sac???
Tax me on my mileage and require your monitor on my car, and I will enter into open revolt. Go screw yourselves Gov't.
"Oregon Freepers how are the people of Oregon reacting to this?"
We are not pleased.
I was going to put this in: "How silly of me to put 'liberal' and 'sense' in the same sentence", but I thought I'd leave it for someone else. Good followup.
I could tell you a few horrific stories about that godforsaken Liberal mecca; However, the ire and bile it would generate in my system might very well prove fatal.
Suffice to say, I would only visit Oregon to go to a funeral -- and then, I would make sure I got out of the state before sundown! Nary a dime spent, either!!!
And I'll take a free hovercraft too.
Our gas is the same or cheaper than Washington's and I'll guarantee you it's cheaper than California's.
Which just means that WA and CA have other pointless taxes and regulations.
Federalies aren't far behind...
And unfortunately based on some of the posts here....the sheep are ready.
Man...I don't know how I've survived.
About half a minute........
And all I said was:
I hope you are not saying....you wouldn't have a problem with the State/Feds tracking your every move...As well as your speed, and your habits.
Now what? Are we at a Mexican stand-off?
LOL...
I know it is SOOOOO important to you to win this, so, yeah, I hope the feds are able to tell what everyone is doing at any moment. There. Have a good evening.
Get back here you dweeb..and argue!!
California, and I think other states, are studying this as well.
It took me a while, but I think I figured out what this is all about.
First of all, let's dispense with the absurd claim that the problem is people buying more fuel-efficient vehicles, thus reducing fuel tax revenues. Cars that get better fuel economy weigh less, and thus result in less wear and tear on the roads. Plus, they could simply raise the fuel tax if there isn't enough coming in. It must be something else, then.
They are afraid of the impact of alternative fuels, especially those which can be produced at home.
There are a number of people here running biodiesel and waste vegetable oil, many of whom are probably not paying road tax. If an idea like that catches on, even if most people can't be bothered with the hassle, it sends a message that this tax can be evaded, and the state can't stand for that.
The Democrats (Fran Pavley), friends of the poor, floated the idea. Never believe they don't want to pass such a measure. If we get a dem governor--which seems likely--they will. Naturally, Pablo the gardner, with clients all over town, will be hurt the worst, while rich folks in their Hummers won't even notice. Funny how that works out, eh?
--Boris
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