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.
Actually, it’s easier in some respects. You permanently mount some box that just needs a 12V feed.
Later cars, they’ll have to either use the same box or do something that is compatible with the car (good luck with that).
Me, I have Jaguars. Nobody will ever complain or suspect otherwise when the old Brit car chews up and shorts out whatever they fit to it.
FUBO
When does the public bicycle sharing program begin?
-PJ
As I was thinking about this today - if this goes through, it will kill the car rental agencies, all tourism - everywhere, traveling any distance to see family or friends, shopping, church going, education and even going out to eat. It will destroy people who have to travel long distances due to work.
BUT - I’ll bet Air Force One gets to use all the gas (paid for by us) that they want to!
“They” already charge a personal property tax just for owning a car in a number of states.
Bingo!
You win the Kewpie Doll for clarity!
We have that in Indiana.
It's always struck me as an odd tax for a state that is heavy in auto and auto parts production.
Because it's high ($300 depending on list price) on new cars and dirt cheap ($20) on 10 yr old cars.
A disincentive to support the state's products.
“How would this tax differ from the tax on a gallon of fuel?....”
Now Comrade...just how do you think they’ll tax that Government Motors Volt...as it odesn’t burn gallons of gas? VOILA!!!
I think that is a GREAT IDEA!
TP is obviously a measure of how much Greenhouse Gas you produce and I want to protect my environment as much as Al Gore does. /sarc
Going to go real good with truckers and people who have to drive their cars for a living...
I would prefer articles of impeachment against any elected official who proposed the wholesale tracking of our people.
It is worse that orwellian; it’s demonic.
So, HOW ON EARTH is it possible that this guy has an approval rating of (supposedly..um..sure..) 48%?!!
Is NO-ONE paying attention to stuff like this, the $4+ ($5 coming soon) gas, the 18-22% “real” unemployment and all the other “results” this administration has produced?
They already tax miles with the Gas tax. If they wanted more then they could raise that tax.
Wake up people. This is not about raising revenue. This is about tracking you. That is the real purpose of this. That is what you should be talking about. Anyone who is too blind to see it, should not be called an intelligent conservative. This should be a non-starter for anyone on this forum. You are watching all of your freedom slip away.
Oh, thank God - I thought the headline said “by the mule”.[/s]
>> Is NO-ONE paying attention
Public sentiment is partially throttled by MSM sycophants.
If this goes through, your target should be the GOP. The Dems can’t pass this without Republican complicity.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.