Wacky California Considers by-the-Mile Driving Tax

NewsMax ^ | november 16, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[wizardoz]

Is there a tax the left does not like?

Say, how about an abortion tax??

[bboop]

HA, that is perfect. An abortion tax.

[faithincowboys]

They are making me live their politics. I would like an energy bill. I would like drilling in ANWR-- for jobs and national security purposes. We are paying for their Leftwing dogma. I think they should have their CAFE standards raised. I think they should pay much more for gas than states where the elected Representatives have common sense.

SUVs shouldn't be permitted in the Bay area or LA or any of the Blue Counties. In additon, homes should be regulated. These 100,000 sq ft homes use too much energy.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Are you another person who comments on threads without reading the article?

The problem is rising fuel efficiency is cutting into expected gas tax revenue. Therefore, as an alternative, they woudl repeal the gas tax and charge a per mile fee.

[w1andsodidwe]

I really don't care about the logic, I think it is bunk anyway. You apparently think thay there is no bad tax. I think this is a bad idea. Just because I own the car does not mean that I am responsible for every mile driven on it. And furthermore, just how long will it take when I sell my car for the tax to be transferred to the new owner. This is the craziest thing I have ever heard.

[goldstategop]

If only they could find a way to tax the dead...

[goldstategop]

Just think of the revenue for a tax set at a few cents per mile driven. It adds up to a nice permanent revenue stream. Of course you and I both know not a farthing penny of it will go to maintaining and upgrading our roads and freeways and other transportation infrastructure. Its the nature of the beast.

[Carry_Okie]

Of course you and I both know not a farthing penny of it will go to maintaining and upgrading our roads and freeways and other transportation infrastructure. Its the nature of the beast.

It'll go for mass transit scams.

[af_vet_rr]

Do you have a better way hidden up your sleeve of paying for road construction and maintenance?

I can think of better ways than the government tracking your movement. For God's sake, they are talking about putting GPS devices on cars and tracking those devices. Doesn't that bother you at all?

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Well, a lot of cars already have them.

But yes, it bothers me a bit. However, the concept seems fine. I'd just make the tax payable at the annual renewal of the registration based on the odometer reading.

[snapperjk]

Then you'd better get used to it, Florida hasn't been the benchmark of conservatism lately. What? We don't have any income tax; our gas is at 1.92 a gallon; some items have sales tax, not all; the budget is in the black; AND we voted for Bush!

[bigfootbob]

see post # 91

[sherifflobo]

OK SO I PULLOUT THE GPS TRACKING DEVICE AND LEAVE IT AT HOME. OR I JUST BUY A CAR OUT OF STATE AND DON'T REGISTER IT IN CALIFORNIA. OR I GET A DEVICE THAT BLOCKS MY GPS TRACKING DEVICE OR WHAT HAPPENS IF IT WERE TO BREAK OR SOMEONE STEALS IT. BETTER YET WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS TRACKING DEVICE THE STATE OR ME?

[bethtopaz]

Hey, who is "they?" I live in California and I am a conservative Republican and this idea is wrong and scary (Big Brother) and bad for the economy. I'm a self-employed person who drives quite a bit for my living as well as many others. There will be a major uprising if they try and pass this. Remember to look at the Bush Map of the U.S. There are a lot of "red" people in California, and I'm one of them! (originally from Indiana)

[bethtopaz]

Thank you! I live in California, drive quite a bit for my job, and think this is THE WORST idea I have ever heard of. It will punish people who are working hard and commuting and sacrificing already. I don't believe this crazy idea even came to the surface. Not only is this bad for the economy, but it is a violation of our privacy. It's frightening and infuriates me.

[Clemenza]

All the folks settling in Palm Beach County are. And that aint the "inner city." Boca Raton is a very wealthy place that sends Robert Wexler to congress.

[bethtopaz]

Hi Michael, I agree! I wrote a post to the person who said "they," too. I moved here from Indiana in '87. I raised my kids here. I've worked hard here for years and paid taxes. I worked very hard to get GW re-elected and my town of Winters voted Bush in '04. I told the guy to look at the Bush Map - the blue places are LA and SF - most of the rest is Red. My opinion is that if they try and put this one on us - the ones who work hard for a living and have to drive alot there will be a major revolt! I love it here but would seriously consider moving out of CA, that is after I had done all I could to fight this unbelievably stupid and socialistic and invasive tax. Beth

[Mama Shawna]

I LOVE your tag line! I'm singing this line to that song from now on..

[Master of Orion]

Correct!
http://www.djc.com/news/co/11125896.html

Although some people might prefer to continue paying gas taxes, electronic tolling is inevitable due to the rising fuel efficiency in vehicles. Major auto manufacturers are already marketing hybrid-electric cars that get over 60 miles per gallon. Within another decade, we are likely to see vehicles capable of traversing the entire country on a single tank of gas or vehicles using hydrogen-powered fuel cells.

When that day arrives, the fuel tax will be unworkable, because too many motorists will be free-riding on the system, and elected officials will be unwilling to raise the gas tax to the levels that it would take to make up for the revenue lost by higher-efficiency vehicles.

This idea is being pushed by the Cascade Policy Institute.

http://www.cascadepolicy.org/pdf/env/gastax.htm