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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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vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:17,913 Points:2,127,070 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:41:50 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse hmmmm, maby get a horse .
CampKohler Champion Author Sacramento Posts:2,471 Points:710,030 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:41:16 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.
Pi314CA Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,844 Points:701,115 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:40:03 PM Ignore Pi314CA Report Abuse Big brother watching and more taxes... is this what "America" voted for??
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,340 Points:906,405 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:39:06 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse This is just stupid. They will enact any tax to take more money from us even if the goal is to use less oil.
Don1222 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,197 Points:761,105 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:38:35 PM Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse Tax tax tax
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,134 Points:1,057,565 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:35:25 PM Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse This would be very bad for truckers.
DarthDadJr Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,318 Points:642,210 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:34:33 PM Ignore DarthDadJr Report Abuse The transportation infrastructure of this country needs to be maintained and improved. The gas tax isn't doing it anymore. This idea could work but the expense to implement would be enormous. Need a simpler solution and one that can be spread out so no one is unduly burdened.
GaryG7 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,893 Points:1,732,650 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:33:56 PM Ignore GaryG7 Report Abuse Good in theory, but it would discourage efficient cars and would require another bureaucracy just to enforce and collect the tax. I say we stick with the current system. (Disclosure: I drive about 6,500 miles a year, so I would save under a per-mile system.)
dl72 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,452 Points:450,685 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:30:54 PM Ignore dl72 Report Abuse It could be a good idea, except to those that drive a lot. They will get taxed a lot.
dannyshouse Champion Author San Francisco Posts:1,461 Points:663,000 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:26:25 PM Ignore dannyshouse Report Abuse taxes aren't high enough now so let's add technological improvements to aid in charging even more for less product received. Now that's a bang for your buck, or lack of them.
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:12,915 Points:1,275,275 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:25:11 PM Ignore 10k Report Abuse amen acknot: why is it that the welfare family has 16 youngins and 2 cadillacs in their yard, and all i have to show for 37 years of work is an empty bank account, one car that needs to be worked on, one truck that i don't trust more than 5-10 miles per trip, and a trusty ol' black lab ???...
spyware Rookie Author New Jersey Posts:11 Points:3,760 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:24:04 PM Ignore spyware Report Abuse I agree with acknot taxing by the gallon is a better idea I think they should raise the gas tax gradually, over a year For gasoline (only 93 octane should be sold) increase tax by 2c per week, over the course of a year $1.04 total For diesel, and upto B5 biodiesel increase it the same as the gasoline tax above For B20, increase the tax by only half as much 1c per week over a year, or 52c total For B50, only increase the tax by 39c 1c per week for 9 months; 39c total For B99, there would be no tax increase E85 would be tax hiked like B50 Half goes to the feds half goes to the states
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,979 Points:1,148,685 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:23:21 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse You are so right on, Hambone. I think so many voted for "change" because the man came across as "Mr. Cool" but didn't bother to really think where he might lead us. Slipping towards communism... Same people approve of the energy bill. "Oh, goody we're saving the planet." But they didn't actually read the contents.
geminijax Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:11,522 Points:1,758,295 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:21:52 PM Ignore geminijax Report Abuse Does anybody here realize that such a scheme would permit the govt. to monitor the whereabouts of anyone they choose? There are other ways of implementing such a tax. However, as others have already said, that will definitely erase some, if not all, cost benefits of having more fuel efficient vehicles, for the consumers.
v240 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:687 Points:657,820 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:20:18 PM Ignore v240 Report Abuse Contributing to road and infrastructure maintenance (and construction) based on useage isn't a bad or unfair idea. Forcing people to install GPS units in vehicles is the wrong way to go. The potential for abuse of GPS data is a horrible price to pay - Big Brother would be able to locate every vehicle, all the time. A completely unwarranted invasion of privacy. There has to be some other way to do this. Maybe - since most vehicles have working odometers - something in conjunction with annual vehicle inspections, involving odometer readings ??
acknot Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,490 Points:769,335 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:17:55 PM Ignore acknot Report Abuse Bad idea. Tax by the gallon encourages conservation and fuel efficiency. Quit spending money on the welfare babies amd kick out the illegal immagrants and will have more than enough money.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,185 Points:591,660 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:15:22 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse There you go, dont give us advantages to good mileage cars.
philthethrill Champion Author Hamilton Posts:3,189 Points:634,940 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:15:04 PM Ignore philthethrill Report Abuse i don't like this idea - if drivers are punished for driving - idlers should be taxed for polluting - sitting at lights and fuming up the air
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,600 Points:1,380,015 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:14:40 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I would hope the current tax all goes for roads, it should be audited to make sure. If that is what it takes in the future so be it as long as it goes only for roads and bridges. Public transportation should pay for itself. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
MPGKing All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:874 Points:227,570 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:12:15 PM Ignore MPGKing Report Abuse Hambone said a mouthful !!
TommyTraveler Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,671 Points:718,030 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:11:19 PM Ignore TommyTraveler Report Abuse Some one has to pay for the cash for clunkers and the Chrysler and GM buyouts.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:3,875 Points:1,001,645 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:10:23 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Just another method for Uncle Sugar to track and charge your life. We really need this don't we?????????
ChEPhD Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,050 Points:212,470 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:09:29 PM Ignore ChEPhD Report Abuse so then what's the point of buying hybrids if the gas prices will just increase because the gas tax will be based on mileage?
PioneerUrban Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,698 Points:532,505 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:09:15 PM Ignore PioneerUrban Report Abuse Ask yourself this? Do you really want the government tracking your every move? This is just the beginning of a communist socieity in the United States. We need to put this down, by any means.
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,124 Points:800,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:08:04 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse There is no positive logic to this option... to much evil can be generated with this technology... Oh, "OIL Bgone" dude... Rumsfeld would want to listen to you... don't worry! In order to get better mileage, cars will soon be made lighter, which will generate less wear and tea on roads...
Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:9,118 Points:1,573,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:07:47 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse DellDude2 Wrote: "Communism is a form of government in which the material produced and the income taken in is for the good of the community instead of the individual." I agree with you pretty much, the results are never as communists promise. The results are death, poverty, spiritual bondage, restricted movement, suppression of economic activity, restriction of freedom of speech, brainwashing of the children, religious persecution, especially real Christians etc. Now combine communism with marxism, fascism, statism, and worst of all, Islam/Muslimism, and you have a recipe for great disaster in every way. Want to guess which of these last categories BHO fits nicely into, you only need five fingers to count them out?
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:247,800 Points:1,132,675 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:07:44 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse We need all new Representatives and Senators, NOW!
zornave Champion Author Louisville Posts:13,887 Points:2,204,540 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:05:16 PM Ignore zornave Report Abuse Just a reminder; there just may be a Tea Party scheduled near you for the 4th of July. Make yourself seen and heard. Enough is enough.
OilBGone Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,937 Points:747,675 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:04:15 PM Ignore OilBGone Report Abuse Oh....My....God....pssst......are they listening to me.....even now?
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,436 Points:1,290,435 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:03:44 PM Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse There has to be a better way to figure mileage than using GPS, like take a radio reading at midnight every day of the odometer. Otherwise the state will know where we are at any time. Not that they can't track us with intersection cameras, but this method being tested by the University of Iowa is too invasive.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,464 Points:511,440 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:03:35 PM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse I don't think so...
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:4,124 Points:800,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:02:17 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse This all started back in the late 60's with the introduction of the EPA, pollution controls, Computer controlled Distributors, electronic sensor, ON STAR and GPS systems. All implemented by BIG BROTHER... This type of set up is very scary... if they could track us... then could they HEAR US... I wouldn't put it past them... For those of you who voted for change, can you SEE THE TRUTH NOW! This is another idea that could end up stealing more of our personal freedoms... By the gov't for the gov't bless the gov't... Well no thank you, mam! Of course, the chip idea has been around... First you start with the animals... then the children then the adults.... Tru2psu2 has some good information... too bad you have to copy the link into your browser...
ChiKid Champion Author Denver Posts:1,858 Points:517,520 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 11:00:06 PM Ignore ChiKid Report Abuse This is the logical conclusion along with vehicle insurance etc., since alternative fuel vehicles have changed changed the game.
CatMan623 Champion Author Houston Posts:8,571 Points:1,378,800 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:58:05 PM Ignore CatMan623 Report Abuse The politicians gotta get theirs. The hell with their constituents, we'll re-elect 'em anyway.
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,078 Points:995,510 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:55:58 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse I only drive about 7000 miles a year. They might as well take the rest of my Social Security Checks while they are at it.
FrisperCat Champion Author Anchorage Posts:2,373 Points:550,380 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:55:26 PM Ignore FrisperCat Report Abuse Woot - i third that comment/feeling!! it's nobody's business but mine how many miles i drive - what's next? big brother measuring the amount of cr@p i take every morning?!?!?! Oh Lord, please help this country!
eye-spy All-Star Author Quebec Posts:676 Points:1,462,295 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:51:41 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse NOT a good idea. Don't need to have "Big Brother" looking over my shoulder.
OilBGone Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,937 Points:747,675 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:51:40 PM Ignore OilBGone Report Abuse Well, if we all stopeed driving gasoline driven cars tomorrow, they would still need to maintain they highways for whatever we were driving, right? I don't like the idea of someone tracking how many miles I drive, but then, I didn't like the idea the Donny Rumsfeld was listening in on my phone calls either. I'm kinda funny that way. I guess sending me a bill for the few miles I drive isn't too terrible a thing.
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,979 Points:1,148,685 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:49:33 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse Hauler43, don't pay attention to that Woodbanksgasguy. The "Nutty Professor" has this warped idea that the individual comes last. So in his mind, big government and big taxes are good! "Communism is a form of government in which the material produced and the income taken in is for the good of the community instead of the individual."
zornave Champion Author Louisville Posts:13,887 Points:2,204,540 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:47:54 PM Ignore zornave Report Abuse BOHICA!
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,964 Points:1,109,355 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:47:35 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse So we sacrifice to cut back on petroleum use and by buying overpriced "vehicles" to lower our dependence on foreign suppliers only to have bureaucrats find some way of taking our hard won savings?
Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:9,118 Points:1,573,095 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:47:10 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse Woodbankgasguy: There you go again!! BHO, in his own words, said in a video-taped interview that "energy prices will skyrocket under my plan." This video is available on the Web to see for yourself, I have. I tried to warn the likes of you but it didn't seem like there were many who would believe me or others sounding the alarm. It pays to listen!!
SDGathman Sophomore Author Virginia Posts:246 Points:726,855 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:47:04 PM Ignore SDGathman Report Abuse What's the problem with the fuel tax? The less efficient your vehicle, the higher the tax you pay. The heavier the vehicle, the more gas it uses, and the more tax you pay. A fuel tax is easily added to any alternative fuel that becomes widespread enough to matter. The only real reason for a mileage tax is the surveillance.
onedoc Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:35 Points:591,540 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:45:02 PM Ignore onedoc Report Abuse Big brother, big government which of by and for the government.
Tru2psu2 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:6,701 Points:626,105 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:42:48 PM Ignore Tru2psu2 Report Abuse We have an out of control Gangster Government. In this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1q6fHLNWPg Rep. Michele Bachman tells the story of what is happening to our country. We need to speak up and stand tall before it is too late. Vote them all out! Actually this Rep. makes sense and is one I would re-elect. She is one of the few that listens to her constituents and is not afraid to speak up against all the corruption.
dakins64 Rookie Author Long Island Posts:64 Points:2,740 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:37:26 PM Ignore dakins64 Report Abuse What next? By your food consumption?
idigau22 Champion Author Modesto Posts:16,882 Points:2,360,905 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:34:52 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse Big Brother Is Watching You! We sit here watching a little more Freedom being washed out of our lives. Most of you voted for Big Government (Obama) to hold your hand from birth to death and beyond. You are getting your wish!!
billsandi Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,572 Points:1,408,225 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:33:31 PM Ignore billsandi Report Abuse Yeah it could. But under Obama, it ain't.
AF1992 Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:80 Points:81,950 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:33:23 PM Ignore AF1992 Report Abuse Big Brother is watching :)
dpgas All-Star Author New York Posts:599 Points:425,345 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:32:56 PM Ignore dpgas Report Abuse By mile? All merchandise prices will rise.
taximan007 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:9,192 Points:1,425,735 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 10:28:03 PM Ignore taximan007 Report Abuse Government monitored GPS in our cars? Orwell was right, just a few decades off. All you liberals who got so upset about the NSA wiretap program and claim that you're "pro-choice" because of your supposed concern about "protecting privacy rights" will show your true hypocrisy if you support this idea.