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By-the-mile road tax could replace by-the-gallon federal fue

The Kansas City Star -- The year is 2020 and the gasoline tax is history. In its place you get a monthly tax bill based on each mile you drove — tracked by a Global Positioning System device in your car and uploaded to a billing center.

What once was science fiction is being field-tested by the University of Iowa to iron out the wrinkles should a by-the-mile road tax ever be enacted.

Besides the technological advances making such a tax possible, the idea is getting a hard push from a growing number of transportation experts and officials. That is because the traditional by-the-gallon fuel tax, struggling to keep up with road building and maintenance demands, could fall even farther behind as vehicles’ gas mileage rises and more alternative-fuel vehicles come on line.

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Submitted Jul 02, 2009 By: mapcat

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furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:11,970 Points:1,826,620 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:12:26 AM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse big brother working here
movinon Champion Author Kansas City Posts:16,872 Points:1,792,785 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:11:39 AM Ignore movinon Report Abuse I'm waiting for big brother to put a clean air tax on breathing.
MUSTANGSRUS Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,743 Points:1,001,895 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:10:56 AM Ignore MUSTANGSRUS Report Abuse I hope that this is a bad joke. What about people that don't live in the States but travel there. Are we going to a device that will follow how far we travel and pay tax?
alaric76 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:11,243 Points:2,058,045 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:10:03 AM Ignore alaric76 Report Abuse another commie 'penalize the people' move.
ach All-Star Author Illinois Posts:654 Points:331,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:06:40 AM Ignore ach Report Abuse The way things are going, I would expect this Government would add the "by-the-mile road tax and also keep gas tax we have now.
DI Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,909 Points:3,172,270 Joined:Apr 2001	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:06:34 AM Ignore DI Report Abuse helms comments "Your dufus president has proposed this several times" Actually, President Obama is on record as opposing the mileage tax. The method used in the State of Oregon's pilot program addresses many of the fears mentioned here. They used a receiver to get the GPS signal (so they weren't using what most people think of as a "GPS unit). The unit determined whether the vehicle was located in a position such that the trip odometer should be recording or not. For example, if the vehicle was outside Oregon, the trip odometer would not be recording. That same functionality could be used to address mwhals's concern about traveling on private roads (farms, ranches, etc.). Since all that's recorded is the mileage (just like in your current vehicle), there's no way the government will be able to track where your vehicle was (any more than they can currently). Oregon's plan was to phase the implementation over 20 years, by simply requiring new vehicles to be equipped with the proper equipment. Nothing would be retrofitted on cars already on the road. And Oregon's program credited the motor fuel tax so older vehicles would pay only the motor fuels tax and new vehicles would pay only the mileage tax. K1500 wonders "how about just have the DMV check your odometer every time you get your tag renewed and pay the tax at once?" Other than it doesn't address traveling outside your state, that would be simpler. BTW, FWIW, Oregon was the first state to implement a motor fuels tax (back in 1919).
pyndasky Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,951 Points:819,805 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:06:12 AM Ignore pyndasky Report Abuse wonders if there will be regional adjustments to account for different weather/climate/traffic conditions. Will miles in New England cost more than miles in the sunbelt? will miles in Cali cost less than miles in Montana, because of the volume of traffic?
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:4,127 Points:1,503,340 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:04:48 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse & what's wrong with the Fair Tax???
wiwhite87 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,033 Points:119,940 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:02:49 AM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse ccf_jeff hit it right. I've always thought the fuel tax was a poor way to tax for highway maintenance, and I'm someone who benefited by driving a relatively fuel efficient vehicle. Taxing mileage cross-referenced with vehicle weight is a very good way of figuring out who is using the roads and the damage they are causing. Thus those using the road more with a more damaging vehicle shoulder the greatest burden. I also believe mileage needs to be taken at a yearly emissions test/inspection or re-registration. Using an overly complex GPS tracking system only invites fraud, hacking, or removal.
007HS Champion Author California Posts:6,959 Points:1,852,135 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:02:32 AM Ignore 007HS Report Abuse Right on BartBuzz... When are we going to start TAXING arrogant bicyclists by the mile? After all we gas guzzlers are the ones that finance the bike lanes with our gas tax. Equality???
LuvEd08 All-Star Author Georgia Posts:784 Points:171,225 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 12:00:03 AM Ignore LuvEd08 Report Abuse Is there anything my car won't be monitored for? First my insurance rate according to my driving habits, next this..
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:1,401 Points:331,010 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:55:01 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Great....Not only will big brother be watching....he too plans on sticking it to us.
pbc2001 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,311 Points:416,430 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:54:19 PM Ignore pbc2001 Report Abuse They think that everything ought to be taxed.
no25 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,727 Points:576,710 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:53:34 PM Ignore no25 Report Abuse this sounds bad
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,938 Points:810,010 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:43:06 PM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse The progressives will always find a way to rob us. It's all about power, taxes and control.
EOCSSEABEE All-Star Author Detroit Posts:735 Points:210,120 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:42:38 PM Ignore EOCSSEABEE Report Abuse gov't wants to know what we are doing, here is the first step. Next it will be the implant in your arm
RambleOn Champion Author New York Posts:1,630 Points:623,900 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:42:17 PM Ignore RambleOn Report Abuse Taxes are already abusive. The politicians who are concerning their time with new methods of taking and wasting money are very overdue for the same sentence Madoff just received. Stop voting for criminals...PLEASE!
ShadowACE Champion Author Boston Posts:3,973 Points:1,173,395 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:41:27 PM Ignore ShadowACE Report Abuse BOHICA! Grab your ankles! The guvmint is coming to HELP us again! I expected it would take much longer than this to turn the USA into the USSA!
spike1zz Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,205 Points:647,570 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:40:17 PM Ignore spike1zz Report Abuse Maybe they will raise the speed limits so you can drive more miles faster. What a stupid solution
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,574 Points:731,205 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:34:48 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Hmmm... so the driver of an SUV would pay the same per mile as the driver of an electric car? Ludicrous.
ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:9,719 Points:1,609,450 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:31:24 PM Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse I completely agree, v240. There's already too much monitoring by our governmental Big Brother and too much room for abuse. A tax based on mileage (&/or weight of the vehicle etc.) is reasonable, but let them check the odometers at an annual inspection time or something like that. No need for GPS tracking.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:7,686 Points:1,237,185 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:29:56 PM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse I like this one, look at all the people who fib on the miles driven for tax reasons. This makes much more sense than a per gallon tax anyway. I think it should be like electric in rural areas here where you read the meter and send in the money for the last reading.
9C1 Champion Author Chicago Posts:17,700 Points:3,280,645 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:28:54 PM Ignore 9C1 Report Abuse It is Obama's fault. Let's blame him.
Rudy Champion Author Detroit Posts:28,398 Points:2,839,990 Joined:Aug 2002	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:28:16 PM Ignore Rudy Report Abuse Amen Hambone61. This "new tax" won't work. They have a gasoline tax. Gas is too expensive so people don't buy it. There go the tax revenues. So there is a new tax based on how many miles you drive. There will be many businesses and resorts that suffer just due to people will not drive more than they absolutely have to. Vacations spent at home instead of traveling. So what will be the new tax to make up for the shortfall of that tax?
swartzrora Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,465 Points:422,285 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:27:33 PM Ignore swartzrora Report Abuse Big Brother is watching U.
djoumy All-Star Author New York Posts:872 Points:385,950 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:24:53 PM Ignore djoumy Report Abuse it'is gonna be a new way to breath.
MarMacMal Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,659 Points:867,025 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:23:05 PM Ignore MarMacMal Report Abuse davmoo "This would be the fairest road tax of all. If you use the roads, you pay to use them. If you don't, you pay nothing. I fail to see how this is unfair to anyone." Number one problem is Big Brother is watching! Just how much more government interference do you want. With this, you can be told where to go, when to go, and how to get there. Oh yeah. Real fair.
webncrb Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,360 Points:383,965 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:23:01 PM Ignore webncrb Report Abuse Remember this is the gov. After they figure out how to get this done and do it, they'll go right back and create another reason to reinstate the gas tax. And what about all those liberals that were so against the gov. wiretapping suspected terrorists. Doesn't Obama and the rest of them have a problem w/ the gov watching EVERYWHERE Americans go. Of course they would be sure to leave the illegal aliens and terrorists alone. We wouldn't want to infringe on their rights.
K1500 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,055 Points:187,170 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:22:24 PM Ignore K1500 Report Abuse Despite the fact that I'd likely spend less money on gas since I don't drive a whole lot, I'll be damned if I let the government put a GPS in any of my vehicles. Do people not realize a GPS will allow the government to track wherever your are and what you're doing? Better not inch one mph over the speed limit or you'll be getting a ticket in the mail before you realize it! We are becoming a heard of sheep under the control of Dictator Obama. Here's a better idea: how about just have the DMV check your odometer every time you get your tag renewed and pay the tax at once? MUCH simpler, MUCH cheaper, and MUCH less invasive of one's privacy.
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,044 Points:671,305 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:21:50 PM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse there goes another expense: we are going to have to pay for the tracking hardware, the gps system
MarkJND Champion Author North Dakota Posts:2,834 Points:743,975 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:21:31 PM Ignore MarkJND Report Abuse Interesting stuff. Not sure how it would work, as it would really penalize those that live in rural areas. Misdirected anger by a few here. Why does no one question why our corporations feel the need to continually get larger and larger, to a point where they can no longer sustain themselves? This goes to a point that when they fail, or are on the verge of failing, they can take down an entire economy with them.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,141 Points:722,085 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:20:49 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse MPGs start going up gas tax goes down. Got to find a way to get revenue up. Tax the miles not the gallons. We're screwed which ever way we go.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:5,334 Points:1,007,515 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:18:25 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse Amen Hambone61. God will not forsake us, but he will punish America for it's transgressions and for ignoring His commands. Those who fail to believe that should remember the Israelites and their 40 years of wandering in the great deserts of Sinai. That will have been s cakewalk in comparison to what we will be facing if we don't straighten up....
john382 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,562 Points:1,516,775 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:11:14 PM Ignore john382 Report Abuse 2020 some on will we be here, but that would put the shoe on the other foot. That's 11 years from now.
mwhals Champion Author Charleston Posts:8,666 Points:1,471,860 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:11:09 PM Ignore mwhals Report Abuse They better figure out how to not tax people's mileage when they are driving on private roads (farms, estates, ect.).
davmoo Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,091 Points:1,989,390 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:10:01 PM Ignore davmoo Report Abuse I have to laugh reading some of these comments. This would be the fairest road tax of all. If you use the roads, you pay to use them. If you don't, you pay nothing. I fail to see how this is unfair to anyone. I also think bicycle riders should be taxed for road use, but at a significantly lower rate, and the proceeds from their tax restricted to building and upkeep of dedicated bicycle lanes.
Helms Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:4,254 Points:1,227,750 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:09:11 PM Ignore Helms Report Abuse about the answr I'd expect alphascan form a state that "elected" franken. Your dufus president has proposed this several times and you are ewithe rstupid or tryign to disarm us before its too late....its all aobut wealth transfer baby...unless you're a baby baby then its about ending your life before you;re born..zieg heil mien furher obama
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,620 Points:852,700 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:08:27 PM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse Hambone61 is absolutely correct!!!
alphascan Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,268 Points:812,990 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:06:14 PM Ignore alphascan Report Abuse Leave it to the socialist rag KC Red Star to print this Big Brother crap.
Bruno44 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,620 Points:852,700 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:06:11 PM Ignore Bruno44 Report Abuse Jiamusi45: The tax & spend congress & BHO admin are looking for any way to tax the heck out of the consumers to pay for the reckless spending of money that our bankrupt govt does not nave.
CPR54 Champion Author Austin Posts:5,556 Points:1,337,465 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:05:07 PM Ignore CPR54 Report Abuse i would like to know cpr
jiamusi45 Champion Author Calgary Posts:1,317 Points:103,405 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:01:56 PM Ignore jiamusi45 Report Abuse Who comes up with these things?
GAS1251 All-Star Author Texas Posts:912 Points:673,630 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:01:33 PM Ignore GAS1251 Report Abuse Never mind could they do it, just by showing it's possible ensures it will happen. And most likely a 5yr timetable, not 10yrs
sammy09 Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:277 Points:333,790 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:53:21 PM Ignore sammy09 Report Abuse gps tracking - just what u wanted -- less roads for trucks is a better solution
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,240 Points:1,014,765 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:51:36 PM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Don't worry about big brother tracking everywhere you drive, Pres. Obama and his administration will take good care of you.
Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:9,141 Points:1,577,260 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:50:53 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse This fourth of July, if you are watching fire-works, (That is if they have'nt been regulated out of existence or maybe your town can't afford them this year because BHO has "stimulated" the economy too much, HIS WAY) please remember the reason for the day and what the fire-works represent. This country was founded by great struggle and bloodshed so that a people could live free of religious bondage, over regulation and over taxation. It would seem to me we have forgotten what we fought for and won.... freedom and liberty! Our founding Fathers were wise and GOD fearing men who wrote their convictions into their words, acknowledging their Creator and respecting Him and His law. We have strayed as a nation and have lost our way. I could name off the sins of the land, abortion being one of the worst, but instead, I will just say, as a people we have sinned greatly before our GOD. The earth and government have become our gods.... think about it!! You may choose to ignore GOD and refuse to believe He exists, you do this to your own peril, I can assure you! History tells us the story... when the people of a nation serve the Lord, there is peace, safety, and plenty.... add to this that the people are happy. When a nation sins and enters into uncleanness, and idolatry, the people are sad, hungry, and in bondage to their enemies. The recent death of a pop icon and the reactions of many, are definite indications the country has gone astray! Think about it, the same can be said for the elections, as one poster on this site put it..."we have not elected a president, we have elected the latest American Idol contestant!" Well said!! If you want to be happy and prosperous, get your life together and start serving GOD, He can be found easily and is waiting to hear from you.... by the way.... I'm not talking religion here, I'm talking about a one on one relationship with the Living GOD. He loves you and gave His only begotten Son a sacrifice for your sins, and mine..... Thank You Jesus!! So why share this on this thread? Because this subject is evidence of our loss of liberty and freedom and you need to do all you can to fight them back! The GOD part is because I have come to believe in the Lord and He has made Himself known to me, I owe my very life to Him.... He has done many wonderful things for me and my family, I know He is real and I know He loves you and wants you by His side some day in Eternity.
jazzyjIL Rookie Author Chicago Posts:1 Points:270 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:50:11 PM Ignore jazzyjIL Report Abuse Just does not sound like it would be enforceable.
bruce725 Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,388 Points:617,840 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:48:22 PM Ignore bruce725 Report Abuse I don't like the sound of this
k99w Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,004 Points:660,585 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:46:04 PM Ignore k99w Report Abuse I don't like this at all!!!!!!
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:3,008 Points:773,385 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:44:01 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse I wonder if there will be a tax on a horse & buggy.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,943 Points:2,131,070 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:41:50 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse hmmmm, maby get a horse .
CampKohler Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,473 Points:711,045 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:41:16 PM Ignore CampKohler Report Abuse If they think the car industry is depressed now, what would it be like if drivers knew that had to pay-pay-pay for every mile they drove? With fewer miles driven, people would hang on to their "like new" vehicles longer. Everyone depending upon the public being out and about would have a big economic letdown. We would all stay home and rub sticks together.