Tax on vehicle miles urged

[Kadie]

Tax on vehicle miles urged

Fees on gas should be based on distance, not fuel use, panel says.
By Tony Bizjak -- Bee Staff Writer

Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, August 8, 2004
Imagine pulling up to the gas pump, and instead of the usual gas tax - 18 cents per gallon in California - the pump charges you a fee based on the miles you drove since your last gas purchase.

A computer in your car, connected to your odometer, transmits your mileage to a computer in the pump, which calculates the fee and adds it to your gas bill on the spot.

That scenario was among the most notable recommendations this week from a select group of transportation advisers participating in the California Performance Review (CPR) process for reforming state government.

It is based on the concept that vehicles should pay for their use of the roads, not their use of gas.

more... http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/story/10301202p-11221326c.html

[iamjoy]

1. A Boon For The Gas Guzzlers

Fair perhaps in getting funding for roads, but majorly unfair to people who do the responsible thing by driving fuel efficient cars.

People driving Hummers don't need any more tax breaks at the expense of people driving economy cars

[efhmc]

2. This is a very BAD idea and punishs those who live in large rural

states that must drive long distances just to work and get services. Not everyone lives in the burgs. Wait, I have an idea. WHY NOT MAKE MORE EFFICIENT CARS, EVEN BIG ONES AND IN CASE YOU MUST USE A PICKUP WHY NOT INCLUDE THOSE ALSO???

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. No!!! Only from MOFO California would this STUPID idea come from.

:grr:

What about those who have to drive far to work such as myself???

:wtf: shithole California? What about me. I can't afford to pay more than I already am DAMN IT!!!

:grr:

[efhmc]

4. You are right this idea stinks from all angles.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Retrofit a couple of hundred million vehicles...

and thousands of gas stations with these gadgets?

Fat chance.

It would pay for someone to have at least two cars-- one of which is an old clunker that doesn't do anything but go to the gas staion, and has a 50 gallon tank.

Are they going to ban syphon hoses?

[olddem43]

6. Stupid Idea - Should be the reverse

Gas guzzlers should be taxed more and economy cars should be taxed less.

[Salviati]

7. Or better yet... if they want to tax based on usage of roads..

they also need to pay factoring in the weight of the vehicle. Make those 10,000 lb hummer behemoths pay for how much they tear up the roads...

[Inland]

9. Exactly--its weight that matters, as well as mileage, so use gas

What's the best proxy for wear on roads? Weight and use--and that means gas usage, which goes up for weight as well as miles, is a better measure than merely miles for the "use" of a road.

[Downtown Hound]

8. Just another cleverly disguised break for SUV's and Hummers

Not to mention it's intrusive as hell. I don't want a computer in my car hooked up to some damn computer reading my mileage. There's no reason for my fear, other than I just believe that some things should remain private. Yes, I know that the government can find out my mileage in any number of ways, but I just don't like being hooked into everything. Stupid idea.

Also, this would punish people who buy used cars far more than people who bought gas guzzling beasts. I wonder who these "transportation advisers" really are. And it's not surprising to me at all that this idea would surface in Ah-nold's Hummer driving administration.

[Inland]

10. ANd not only is it idotic to use mileage instead of weight

it requires a cost to each car owner just to measure AND a group to download the computer (thereby costing much more than a sales tax)

I drive thirty miles down a road with a million other drivers in an urban area, I pay the same as a rural guy who has a thirty mile road built just for him and two neighbors just to pick up a gallon of milk. Hm.

[robertarctor]

11. Arnold "Adolf Hummer" Schwarzenegger in action

This lame-ass proposal, from Arnie's top-secret Dick Cheney-style commission on reforming government? Great idea. "Jawohl, und zen ze Hummer drivers vill not be payink ass much in ze taxes."

I'd like to know what other surprises lurk in those so-called recommendations.

[Sugarbleus]

12. Who dreams up this crap? Living in Calif is becoming a nightmare.

As for this proposal; it would be murder on everyone else but for me it would be a plus--though I'm not for it mind you.

I rarely drive my vehicle. I keep it tuned up and in good shape. The only time I use my van is to the store or once in a blue moon on a long road trip. I don't work outside the home anymore.

My van is 10 years old and only has 45K+ miles!! :P

The Idealist/extremeists in this state need to GET A REAL JOB!