North Carolina Considers Charging Tax on Miles Driven

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[GoreNoMore]

http://autos.aol.com/article/news/_a/north-carolina-considers-charging-tax-on/20081215104309990001?ncid=AOLCOMMautodynlsec0004

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina panel asked to find solutions for a $65 billion transportation shortfall over the next two decades wrapped up a year of work Wednesday, with its chairman saying it's now up to the public to persuade lawmakers to follow through on recommendations.

It won't be easy: the state needs to invest $1 billion a year for the next 10 years to reduce congestion, increase safety and boost the economy, the 21st Century Transportation Committee said.

The best way to do that is to raise additional taxes and fees, toll interstates and issue a large road-building bond package, according to the final report approved by the committee of legislators, business leaders and local elected officials.

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Most Popular Crossovers on AOL Autos Other committees and interest groups have argued for more transportation revenue in the past. Chairman Brad Wilson he hopes that members of the panel can remain vocal about the issues so that their study just won't sit on some dusty shelf at the Legislative Building. But he urged citizens to speak out with them.

"If the people of North Carolina wants emphasis placed on transportation improvements, then this report will be different," said Wilson, chief operating officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. But he also said he understands that "a year ago, the budget wasn't in this shape."

There will already be intense pressure upon the Legislature to narrow a state budget gap that could exceed more than $2 billion for the next fiscal year with higher taxes and spending cuts. Legislators have said that environment will make it even harder to seek additional revenue sources for transportation.

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[Publius6961]

General notice to all politicians and bureaucrats who suppor this:

You can be replaced!

[ken21]

wrong.

what do insurance co’s have to gain?

they want accurate miles driven and to charge you per mile.

[hunter112]

What would they have to gain?

The less miles that are driven, the lower the exposure of their insureds to accidents. Reduced driving during the period that fuel prices were so very high really did reduce the payouts that Allstate had to make.

But it's not like they lowered my premium...