Posted on 05/05/2011 5:42:55 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama floats plan to tax cars by the mile By Pete Kasperowicz - 05/05/11 07:45 AM ET
The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.
The plan is a part of the administration's "Transportation Opportunities Act," an undated draft of which was obtained this week by Transportation Weekly.
This follows a March Congressional Budget Office report that supported the idea of taxing drivers based on miles driven.
Among other things, CBO suggested that a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax could be tracked by installing electronic equipment on each car to determine how many miles were driven; payment could take place electronically at filling stations.
The CBO report was requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), who has proposed taxing cars by the mile as a way to increase federal highway revenues.
Obama's proposal seems to follow up on that idea in section 2218 of the draft bill. That section would create, within the Federal Highway Administration, a Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Office. It would be tasked with creating a "study framework that defines the functionality of a mileage-based user fee system and other systems."
The administration seems to be aware of the need to prepare the public for what would likely be a controversial change to the way highway funds are collected. For example, the office is called on to serve a public relations function, as the draft says it should "increase public awareness regarding the need for an alternative funding source for surface transportation programs and provide information on possible approaches."
The draft bill says the "study framework" for the project and a public awareness communications plan should be established within two years of creating the office, and that field tests should begin within four years.
The office would be required to consider four factors in field trials: the capability of states to enforce payment, the reliability of technology, administrative costs, and "user acceptance." The draft does not specify where field trials should begin.
The new office would be funded a total of $200 million through FY 2017 for the project.
They would “accidently” also know everywhere you’ve been.
No thanks.
Gud... this man is intolerable...
Wonderful the end of the democrap party bill, nothing like blowing your own head off.
“Transportation Opportunities Act”
They will now have the opportunity to track our every mile driven. And oh yeah, tax us even more. It’s all about control.
Wonderful idea. I hope Obama makes this the centerpiece of his re-election campaign.
"Change"? Yeah, right ... LOL.
It will be an additional tax, on top of what we already pay in gasoline taxes. Yet another edition of the Obama "I won't raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000" lie.
The reason the federal highway "trust fund" is broke is because the feds regularly raid it and put the money in general revenue.
Cars economy is rated in miles per gallon. How would this tax differ from the tax on a gallon of fuel? We can’t use a system that is in place. No, have to hire a whole new bevy of people to implement and run a new program.
In the real world I'd say this would NEVER happen, but this is the world of Obama and nothing surprises me anymore.
Even libs will revolt against this ... so thanks pres. Obongo!
Let’s tax how much toilet paper one uses.
If this goes through I *WILL* go postal. Oh yes, I will.
Bfl.
The more miles per gallon you drive, the higher the tax irrespective of the number of gallons you use.
So, why would Obama and his running dog lackeys need to tax high efficiency vehicles?
Well, cars are more efficient these days ~ friend of ours new Elantra is getting 40 MPG city, which is astounding. That means she uses fewer gallons which means her gasoline tax payments have dropped.
And so.....his stupidity GROWS!
Mo jobs for the usual drones, lard arses and AA babies. IOW mo high paying Federal jobs for Obama voters. You won't be able to get this job unless you know someone
Let’s see...Ubama/Holder’s people sit in gov’t subsidized housing, don’t pay taxes, and get a “tax” refund, while the enemy (us) have to actually get in a car and drive to work.
What a clever redistribution of wealth scheme.
“Spreadin’ some of that wealth around” comes to your neighborhood soon.
Per mile?
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