Posted on 05/05/2011 5:42:55 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama floats plan to tax cars by the mile By Pete Kasperowicz - 05/05/11 07:45 AM ET
The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.
The plan is a part of the administration's "Transportation Opportunities Act," an undated draft of which was obtained this week by Transportation Weekly.
This follows a March Congressional Budget Office report that supported the idea of taxing drivers based on miles driven.
Among other things, CBO suggested that a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax could be tracked by installing electronic equipment on each car to determine how many miles were driven; payment could take place electronically at filling stations.
The CBO report was requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), who has proposed taxing cars by the mile as a way to increase federal highway revenues.
Obama's proposal seems to follow up on that idea in section 2218 of the draft bill. That section would create, within the Federal Highway Administration, a Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Office. It would be tasked with creating a "study framework that defines the functionality of a mileage-based user fee system and other systems."
The administration seems to be aware of the need to prepare the public for what would likely be a controversial change to the way highway funds are collected. For example, the office is called on to serve a public relations function, as the draft says it should "increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible approaches."
The draft bill says the "study framework" for the project and a public awareness communications plan should be established within two years of creating the office, and that field tests should begin within four years.
The office would be required to consider four factors in field trials: the capability of states to enforce payment, the reliability of technology, administrative costs, and "user acceptance." The draft does not specify where field trials should begin.
The new office would be funded a total of $200 million through FY 2017 for the project.
Put an electronic device in a car and track the miles?
That’s stoopid.
Some enterprising company is lobbying to see this is done and they will make a killing.
If it’s just about the mileage why not have everyone take their car down to the DMV for an inspection like they do in Delaware?
More money, MORE money, MORE MONEY.
Government porkers swilling at the trough.
I never thought much of 'Countrywide' Kent Comrade, but this idiocy which will hurt those from rural states disproportionately coming from him catapults him to the pinnacle of assholianism, imho.
He is a Kamikaze Democrat, anyway, and has already said he would not run.
It is my understanding that the court has said we cannot recall his mangy self, though that is a right in North Dakota. With this latest proposal, I have little doubt he'd be out on his lying keester had the recall been allowed to proceed.
Yeah!! It's a REGRESSIVE Tax!!!! :)
I found this on page 167....still looking...
SEC. 2218. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION REVENUE ALTERNATIVES
OFFICE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish within the Federal
Highway Administration a Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Office to
analyze a range of revenue-generating alternatives that could convey prices to users to
reflect system use and other travel externalities while serving as a funding source for
surface transportation programs.
Undated USDOT draft reauthorization bill Obtained by Transportation Weekly
168
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Surface Transportation Revenue
Alternatives Office shall be to—
(1) create a study framework that defines the functionality of a mileagebased
user fee system and other systems, including those suitable for vehicles
using fuel not taxable under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(2) evaluate system design alternatives for such systems;
(3) conduct field trials to demonstrate and test such systems;
(4) increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding
source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible
approaches; and
(5) provide recommendations regarding adoption and implementation of a
mileage-based user fee system or other system.
(c) SURFACE TRANSPORTATION REVENUE ALTERNATIVES POLICY
DECISION GROUP.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Within 1 year of the enactment of this Act, the
Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Office shall establish and lead a
Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Policy Decision Group, hereinafter
referred to as “the Group”, to inform the selection and evaluation of mileagebased
user fee systems.
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Group shall consist of public agency
representatives as determined by the Secretary, including the Department of
Energy; the Department of the Treasury; the Environmental Protection Agency;
other appropriate Federal and State agencies and associations; and public toll
authorities.
(3) FUNCTIONS.—Within 2 years of establishment, the Group shall, at a
minimum—
(A) create a study framework that defines the functionality of
mileage-based user fee systems and other systems, including those
suitable for vehicles using fuel not taxable under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986;
I wonder if I put a speed drill onto my odometer cable, whether I would get a tax credit for undriving my truck?
I have been undriving for quite a while. Buahahahahahaha!
The IDJIT.
A lot like his gas saving plan during his campaign ( inflate tires to over pressure).
DRILL BABY DRILL
This is COMPLETE TAKEOVER of our ENTIRE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM!
I never buy new cars anyway so good luck to them. If it’s required for registration or what not it will get removed as soon as I get home and I’ll put it on my ATV instead which never goes more than a couple miles a week.
Private companies would be more efficient, have a built in motive for providing pot-hole free roadways, competition, blah-blah-blah...
As it is, our current tax schema has so many holes in it and .gov bloat that it's amazing any roads are maintained at all.
Not me. The rates will go up...
But I do have a little-used utility vehicle which could be filled with 55 gallon drums to service the rest of the fleet. If this happens, I'll use lots of gas but only drive 100 miles a year...
Govt. bloat would take all revenues, and then some.
Big Sis and Big Bro will be regulating your bedroom next if the useful idiots stay clueless.
Because (in the twisted semantics of Socialist newspeak) he has created more poor people than any other president.
obama is a facist who hates America....
Time to "ease" this one into the sea, as well...
Speedometers today are electronic, driven off a speed sensor. And yep, it is all tied into the computer that runs the rest of the car.
Good reason though to get an older car and fix it up. No puter, etc.
~PING~
These are the people who moaned and whined that the Patriot Act would have gov officials, Pubbies of course, listening to the conversations of every lib in America. Now they want to be able to track the movements of everyone’s car. What a bunch of hypocritical frauds.
I’m inclined to think that this is something out of The Onion, but knowing the ultimate statist that is Obama, this is very probable. Soon to follow with a breath tax to check your carbon emissions.
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