Sen. Introduces Bill To Test Out Taxing Motorists For Every Mile They Drive (California)

CBS LA ^ | 5/7/14

[OneVike]

The California Legislature is looking at a voluntary program that would tax motorists for every mile they drive.

KCAL9’s Bobby Kaple reports that Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, introduced a bill to test out the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax because the state’s gas tax was no longer bringing in the revenue it used to due to people driving more fuel efficient vehicles.

The program is modeled after ones in Oregon and Washington.

“We want to do as Washington and Oregon have done in a much bigger state with much longer commutes…to make sure that we find out whether it would work, whether the public would like it or not,” DeSaulnier said.

It’s unknown how much the tax would be, but Oregon currently charges its volunteers 1.5 cents per mile.

“All of those things would be determined. We would let the agency determine that because this would be a voluntary program,” DeSaulnier said.

Southland commuters were not thrilled about the idea of a VMT tax.

[OneVike]

I can hear all the cars heading for the border as I type this. Oh yea, they will also charge more per mile for those of us in rural Ca, because it would be unfair.

Just like we pay higher insurance premiums because our mileage is lower than those living in the city and thus it's unfair.

Plus, the voters will still return the Democrats to power.

[a fool in paradise]

Then repeal the gas tax immediately.

I agree that those running electric cars aren’t paying “their fair share”.

Also, with the high price of gasoline in the Obama error, I’ve severely cut back on my driving.

[OneVike]

I guess all those low mileage vehicles have cut into their tax revenue.

And the citizens thought they were saving money.

What a bunch of fools.

[GeronL]

Voluntary?

Ha ha ha

[InterceptPoint]

What would be the amount of tax that I owe if I were to drive to Texas and never come back to California?

[FatherofFive]

This is actually a good idea. If I don’t drive, why should I pay road taxes?

[a fool in paradise]

When there is water rationing and the public complies, water rates are raised to keep up the cash flow.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government." --Tacitus

[jsanders2001]

Next up: Kalifornians to be taxed for every breath they take with new innovative device that comes in the form of a capsule that an be swallowed. The unit also comes with a GPS tracking device that can only be activated by the user (and government)

[OneVike]

Wait till they put meters on everyone’s wells and start taxing by the gallons coming from the underground cisterns.

[Newbomb Turk]

Liberalism is a mental disease.

[SandRat]

Only if he agrees to be taxed for every minute that he talks in the Ca. Senate.

[Jonty30]

That and wondering how much commuters will like it leaves me wondering if the article really isn’t satire.

[Logical me]

All I got to say is Ha Ha Ha. All you stupid Democrats that support your party are fools. Everything you shi! heads do will come back and bite you. The world is full of idiots but the Democrats take the highest order of stupidity. Hey all you Hollywood types, MSM, the unions, and the rest of you Democrats, stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Norm Lenhart]

Hey isn’t having sat/cell capability in cars with computers great?

WE TOLD YOU this would happen.

[OneVike]

They are bound and determined to return to the days of the Dark Ages where we are surfs, owned by the land and we do what they tell us, how they tell us, and how long they tell us.

Them Lord, We Slave.

[umgud]

Geez, a mileage tax? You can bet they’ll retain gas taxes and tolls too.

[Logical me]

This is actually a good idea. If I don’t drive, why should I pay road taxes?

You must have a liberal mindset. How do you think the goods you buy gets to you or the stores. You pay a road tax every time you buy a beer. And now watch the prices go up for your beer.

[Delta Dawn]

whether the public would like it or not,” DeSaulnier said.

Seriously, at what point does a politician forget what it is like to be a regular citizen?