Mileage tax instead of gas tax?

[Trump]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29298315

Is it even feasible? Talk about encouraging gas guzzlers =/

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

This seems weird but it already says it's been nixed by Obama's people though some states are considering it apparently. I dunno, I think purely from a logistical perspective that a gas tax would work better.

[Plekto]

Originally it was about how much you used the roads and wore them out. Gas taxes never really are effective or proper as it also taxed mopeds, lawnmowers, blowers, or whatever else you used gas in. But mileage... oh yeah - that's going to generate big money.

[Trump]

So when you renew your license plate you have to send them the number on your odometer? What if you are driving in a different country like Canada or Mexico? Are we going to be charged for how far we walk on the sidewalk now? I guess I just don't see how this is feasible, or even charging the right people! And yet some states are considering it?

[SlickWilly440]

Don't worry, one day when a majority of all houses are powered by solar panels (not relying on electric companies), the government is going to want to tax/bill us on how much solar electricity we use each month. It's like the government owns the Sun, but the Sun does all the work, while the government gets the money.

[Minibeefcake]

The infrastructure needed for this would be pretty expensive. You'd have to outfit every car out on the road first with a GPS, and then set up all the download stations. Then set it up in a way that the privacy advocates will accept.

Personally I think it's actually more fair if they just raise the federal gas tax instead. You use more, you pay more.

If they really want to go down the route of taxing according to the mileage you drive, hopefully they would set up tiers on tax rate based on your vehicle weight/class. Heavier/bigger cars tend to wear out the roads much faster than lighter, more fuel efficient cars.

[MeneerDijk]

Isn't there already a tax like this? called: paying for your gas? It doesn't really matter how you collect tax, it will have to be payed some way. Something new will be thought up when this plan doesn't get implemented.

Maybe i'm sounding negative, but i don't really mind paying taxes. I'd like a good infra-structure and social security etc. I think the bigger problem is the way it's been spent...

[Mechs]

I think that's a horrible idea. What about people that live in rural areas or out in suburbs that have to commute a few hours to work? They will be hurting after a while. I say bad idea.

[mugen]

Isn't there already a tax like this? called: paying for your gas? It doesn't really matter how you collect tax, it will have to be payed some way. Something new will be thought up when this plan doesn't get implemented.

Maybe i'm sounding negative, but i don't really mind paying taxes. I'd like a good infra-structure and social security etc. I think the bigger problem is the way it's been spent...
I believe the article is about replacing the current tax on gas with a system based on the number of miles you drive much like the kilometerheffing the Dutch government has tried to get implemented since the late nineties now.

Of course kilometerheffing is not meant to bring in more money (or say they claim) but to prevent traffic congestion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congestion_pricing).

[MeneerDijk]

It won't help much at all... People still need to get from A to B. Public transport might be an option for a small portion of the workforce, but it's still expensive... Especially when you still want to have a car on your driveway for stuff other than going to work. I also think it'd discourage people from getting a job that requires a lengthy commute... wich is not wise during current times of recession.

[mugen]

I agree. It will probably be another example of a government project that's doomed to fail but just keeps snowballing because nobody wants to swallow his/her pride.

Edit: I just used snowballing and swallow in the same sentence :innocent:

[SlickWilly440]

This mileage tax is just another way for those fat cats in Washington to take money away from the common man during the times of a recession, so they can fill there pockets with tax money and secure they lavish financial future.

Next thing you know they are going to secure everyone with device that measures how much we breath, so they can tax us on that.

The stimulus package is not going to help people if they are going to have to end up using the money on higher gas prices. The government is trying to recoup the money that is going to the lost of the stimulus packed by raising taxes where ever they can.

[blank slate]

Mileage tax is LAME. I actually saw on the news that Oregon is already having a pilot program for this type of taxation. I'd hate to live there if that passes.