Posted on 07/11/2014 2:51:20 PM PDT by robowombat
Center for American Progress wants mileage-based highway fee
By Keith Laing - 07/11/14 12:08 PM EDT
The Center for American Progress is calling for Congress to ditch the federal gas tax in lieu of a system where drivers pay fees for road construction based on how many miles they travel.
The proposed mileage-based system has been controversial in previous transportation funding debates because critics question how government would monitor the traveling habits of drivers without infringing upon their privacy.
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But the Center for American Progress said Friday that taxing drivers based on how far they drive is a much more sustainable system than the current 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax. With people driving more fuel-efficient cars, the gas tax isn't bringing in enough money and Congress is scrambling to reach a deal to prevent a cut-off in federal road repair funds.
The mileage-based taxation system was one of four recommendations made Friday by the Center for American Progress, which was founded by White House adviser John Podesta.
The group’s other ideas included a 15-cent gas tax hike to “stabilize” federal highway funding, which would be used to transition government away from the gas tax, and a $100 million mileage-based fee pilot program in 10-15 states.
The recommendations come as Congress is moving toward approving a temporary stopgap that would infuse about $10 billion into the Department of Transportation’s beleaguered Highway Trust Fund.
The gas tax has been the traditional source for funding for the trust fund since it was created in the 1950s. It hasn't been hiked since 1993.
Budget analysts have predicted a $16 billion shortfall next year between gas tax revenue and what Congress wants to spend on roads. The gas tax typically brings in about $34 billion per year, compared with $50 billion in annual road and transit spending.
The Transportation department has warned that it would have to cut its funding to states by 28 percent if Congress does not act quickly to replenish the Highway Trust Fund.
Center for American Progress Director of Infrastructure Policy Kevin DeGood said it was time for Congress to look for other funding sources besides the gas tax if it hopes to craft a meaningful long-term transportation funding bill.
“For too long, Congress avoided addressing our transportation funding problem,” he said. “Americans need a long-term solution. Mileage fees offer an equitable and effective way to provide for our transportation needs.”
liberals bent on killing the economy by any means
When the revolution comes everyone with “progress” in their names will be the first up against the wall.
Americans want watch the Center for American Progress beheaded on YouTube.
The lamp posts demand to be ‘decorated’.
The gas tax charges for the number of miles driven. You don't drive, you don't buy gas, you don't pay tax.
Geez, all those poor lefties who bought elcetric cars or hybrids are now going to have to pay anyway.
Fly-over country?
“We don’t need no stinkin’ Fly-over Country”!
/S
“The law of unintended consequences” bites again.
Name me ONE thing that the politicians and Government at any level doesn’t tax either directly or indirectly?
Enough I say! These people need to go on a tax diet and live within a reasonable income and budget.
“The gas tax charges for the number of miles driven. You don’t drive, you don’t buy gas, you don’t pay tax. “
I get 10 mpg. I pay four times per mile the driver of a Prius.
You make perfect sense. But clearly the liberals cant understand your logic.
Yep!
I’ve been looking at Kerry Bentivolio’s ROAR act but I’m not sure what to think of it. It sounds like he’s talking about doing away with the highway trust fund and selling highway bonds to each state to take them out of federal control.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B38FezZsDgvbSWlVRGktcVA1NFR1MDJsa2pqclNkckEyM0RJ/edit
This is a direct attack on those who live in rural areas and the exurbs as they must drive on the highways and for longer distances than city people who can use surface streets or mass transit.
At one time I would have laughed at anyone who thought this could ever happen. Well, I’m not laughing anymore.
Took my grandson for a walk in his stroller, and had the canopy up so he could get some sun. It occurred to me that I wouldn’t be surprised if that someday became illegal.
These people are REALLY asking for it.
Beward toll roads and mileage taxes.
Your ability to travel is at stake here.
These people will not be happy until they charge you enough you’ll give up your vehicle.
I don’t think people have any idea how much money is collected in gas taxes. Equally, I doubt they have any idea how much of that money is stolen to pay for other grand Leftist ideas.
It’s time we simply say no, to new taxation.
They get enough. The theft of our buck stops here.
How could mileage be verified?
Will this require an entire department of inspectors?
Will speedometer reprogramming become a felony offense?
Since they pay nothing toward roads via gas tax anybody with a coal-powered electric car should have to pay back the huge taxpayer subsidy they got and send it straight to the DOT.
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