Posted on 03/20/2009 3:35:28 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB
PAWL empty is not a Republican. He’s a conservative democrat.
We could but it would be too unethical for us taxpayers to tolerate.
"T-Paw" is far too nice, many of us in Minnesota call him "Gov Green Jeans" because of his radical environmentalism.
Our gubmints have far too many ways to tax us now and they collect far too much of the fruits of my labor. And they do so as if I am their slave. No new taxes. None Never again. And gubmint, start eliminating taxes on my income and property. This slave and others are stirring, you gubmints best watch out.
I wonder if they’ll tax you for miles driven in other states?
Stupid idea, but I drive a truck and not many miles, so I’d probably be hurt less than the avg joe.
These a##es might as well join the other a##es in Washington. TAX TAX TAX TAX There moving us closer to the wall where there aint no other place to go! It disgusts me to no end!
I’ve lost all hope.
“Didn’t this loon make McRino’s veep short list?”
We went to bed that night sure that it would be Pawlenty and then woke up the next morning with rumors that McCain might be announcing the Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.
Before it was confirmed I saw Andrea Mitchell start sounding like she was reporting on a Kennedy state funeral and I knew that it was going to be Palin.
I wanted to scream like a girl but since that is impossible I grunted in a very enthusiastic manner.
We’re lost, the politicians want to tax every human activity they happen to notice, and no one is outraged by this.
No thanks. I grew up in Wisconsin, and don’t miss it.
Seriously, just because the rest of the tax structure in MN is oppressive and a mess - is not an argument against a pay-as-you-use system for the road network there. Assume plug-in electric vehicles become the rage (I’m not betting on it, but assume it happens.) The fuels tax revenue will fall rapidly to a point where maintenance of the existing road network is impossible. Some other basis is going to be necessary - the idea should be to match the cost apportionment to the users of the roads in a manner that reflects the costs they generate. Mileage (stratified by weight classes) forms a pretty good basis for that. That is an efficiency and equity argument for a mileage based road tax. Not an argument for higher taxes, but an argument for apportioning the cost of the public road infrastructure.
Just because the rest of Minnesota’s tax system is a corrupted mess is not criticism of this concept - in fact it would replace a lot of those taxes, and would probably come much closer to matching the costs of maintaining the roads to the impacts of the users than the existing methods.
Are you sure you are in the right group?
when will the Minn. senate race be announced??
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As far as apportioning taxes based on weight classes, how about commercial vehicles? They already do that, and it is a nightmare. Federal excise tax is also paid by weight. Care to guess what cost that adds to a commercial tire?
I don't support any pay-as-you go system because there is no way it can be apportioned properly. Are you going to retrofit cars with meters? What about number of passengers? What about mileage and efficiency standards? Shouldn't we look at ground bearing pressure rather than weight? What about mass transit—are they exempt despite causing more wear and tear? How about metro/rural splits? People travel further in rural areas, but metros have more roads...
The fact is that there is plenty of money for transportation with the tax they already have. The states simply spend it on other "priorities." Including all the money supposedly allocated specifically for transportation.
Toll roads and bridges are a great example. The "intent" of most projects was that the toll would be stopped once construction costs were recouped. I don't believe that has happened in 10% of the cases.
Once the government has a revenue stream, they don't cut it off.
Well, good thing I moved.
Anything like this will be circumvented. If they use odometer readings instead, people with vehicles outside of warranty will be rolling theirs back every year.
Every time I hear about this “mileage tax” idea I think “Government GPS Spying in my vehicle”
No thanks. If I lived in Minn and this went through, I would move out of the state.
I think it would be more like GPS, but this is years away.
as soon as all court challenges are done. the next will be the MN SC, then probably the USSC.
Billions in Highway Taxes Diverted to General Spending
http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/14/1494.asp
Billions of dollars collected from motorists from gasoline taxes, tolls, and registration fees are being diverted by state and local governments into uses that have nothing to do with roads and highways.
According to the latest figures from the Federal Highway Administration, motorists gave state and local government $40.3 billion in 2005 for the ability to drive and own a vehicle. Gasoline taxes accounted for $20.5 billion in revenue while registration fees and miscellaneous taxes generated $13.5 billion. State and local toll roads also collected $6.4 billion from motorists.
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