CA Gas Tax - by the mile instead of the gallon?

[widebody911]

Wacky idea of the week - tax people per mile rather than by the gallon. Think of it as a tax break for driving an SUV

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/news/111604_nw_gas_tax.html

[mikester]

So - what instead of sales tax on shoes I'll get taxed for how often I walk?

I call shenanegans.

Seriously.

I see this as an encroachement on my freedom to move freely about the state. The only way they could track this accurately would be with some sort of GPS system. If you're watching every move I make then I'm not free and that's not what this country is about.

[techweenie]

That's just weird. Won't fly at all.

I think tax by gross vehicle weight is fairer -- assuming one has to tax at all. That relates the tax to the actual damage done.

These driver-related taxes are always presented as 'designated to fix our roads' but somehow, the money never gets there. Insted, the "tax" we get is accelerated damage to our tires, suspension and chassis from terrible roads.

[mikester]

Don't forget back pain. I must say though - they recently ground down some humps in the road around the entrance to my neighborhood which I appreciate emmensely.

[ubiquity0]

I heard something about that on the news last night.
Why on earth would anyone propose that? Just bizarrre really.
Imagine the cost of manufacturing, installing & maintaining the "small computers" in every car in CA. Maybe they need another tax to cover that? Fart tax?

[Leader]

Oregon is going to test this very system in 2005. I don't think there's much chance that it will ever become law, especially in California.

[Tim Walsh]

not sure about your inspection routine there but it would be easy here. past odometer reading x current reading x some multiplier.

I still say Gas is a much better way, those poluting more, driving more, and/or driving heavier vehicles get more of the tax.

[techweenie]

There is a tide of creeping (if not leaping) 'big brotherism' in this country at the moment, with tens of thousands of surveillance cameras being put up on public streets; facial recognition software, monitoring of phone & e-mail communications; laws allowing searches without notification before, during or after... including library and purchase records.

I suspect there's a law enforcement motive in the notion of GPS tracking of private vehicles.

And if you think we're not all under satellite surveillance... well, just take a look at these startling photos:

http://www.museumofconceptualart.com/un_proof/index.html

[pbs911]

I really doubt the gas companies would lower the price of gas by deducting the tax if such a measure passed. They know everyone is used to a certain price and are willing to pay that same price. The only thing this tax would do is put more $$ in the gas companies' already buldging pockets.

[Hugh R]

This is BS and stupid. How would you treat visitors/tourists/interstate truckers, install a GPS at the border?

[mikester]

I know a bunch of guys who commute from the 909 into Downtown LA....

[KevinP73]

Cool! That means my Corvair can be GPS enabled.
Look at the upside here people, If you get drunk and forget where you parked your car, you can log on the net to find it. Or if you get audited by the IRS, they can't dispute your milage claims because they gathered that data for you! If you really want to overload the system, gather all your friends at Willow (or any local track) and drive in circles all day.

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by KevinP73
Cool! That means my Corvair can be GPS enabled.
Look at the upside here people, If you get drunk and forget where you parked your car, you can log on the net to find it. Or if you get audited by the IRS, they can't dispute your milage claims because they gathered that data for you! If you really want to overload the system, gather all your friends at Willow (or any local track) and drive in circles all day.

If you want to get back at someone why not 'borrow' their gps unit & take it on a transatlantic trip. Or mail it to China with a return envelope?

[tc-sacto]

I love the idea. I am going to register my cars in South Dakota under my rental home. Should save me quite a bit of money as I won't need on of those chips on my key ring. :0)

[goat]

saw this on the news last night.
Does this mean I need a GPS on my gas powered lawn mower too?

[tabs]

Originally posted by Leader
Oregon is going to test this very system in 2005. I don't think there's much chance that it will ever become law, especially in California.

ROFLMAO....I wrote about this very subject 2 months ago....in a humorous sort of way.....NObody took me seriously...well guess what I bought a 5% stake in a company that does this very thing in the UK.....

Justy imagine the chingaling I'll be getting from the Royalities...on every mile you drive....

And seriously folks when did the government EVER TURN DOWN a new way to collect revenue... WOn't fly in CA HUh....

The government NEEDS new sources of revenue to meet the hugh 500 Billion Defceit....Thats why it will fly....and it will all be done under the name of FUEL CONSERVATION....

I think they call this HIGH TECH.....

Guess I'll be ordering those Gulfstream catalogs now....

[ubiquity0]

Oh no! Not only will we be getting reamed for mileage taxes, we'll basically be funding tabs' buffets at the same time!

[tabs]

I'm hoping anyway....when I thought of the possibilitys of Telemetrics ...I said just a little taste of the pie would be enough....and said where do I send the check....

[tabs]

The Company I bought into is currently working on an antitheft device for automobiles...that works similar to LOjack but instead will stop the car from running once iformed of it's theft...

They have certification of the Car Insurance Industry in the UK, and have signed a deal with a large European car manufacturer to install their devices....the next step is to get certification from the US Car Insurance industry...the US insureres have to take the system seriously since the UK Insurers have certified it. After that is the car aftermarket market....

That is the opening gambit for this company anyway....

[tabs]

Another use for this system is a pay by the mile Car Insurance...the more miles you drive the more you pay and conversly.