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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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Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:7,458 Points:1,285,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 10:20:01 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse jsmithpdx111: I am aware there are many who like government control over every aspect of our lives.... trouble is..... I don't know why! Sad, ain't it?
jsmithpdx111 Rookie Author Oregon Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:33:40 PM Ignore jsmithpdx111 Report Abuse We Oregonians don't all think like Hambone61.
jjjleblanc All-Star Author Rochester Posts:929 Points:361,300 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 3:51:22 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse Penalizes people who have to drive alot and may have purchased a fuel efficient vehicle.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,440 Points:377,455 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 10:33:30 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse THIS STINKS FOR SO MANY REASONS!!
FordF2502001 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,558 Points:370,920 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 9:02:15 PM Ignore FordF2502001 Report Abuse awesome idea, would definitely cut down on miles driven in my house
geminijax Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:9,834 Points:1,461,115 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 6:04:04 PM Ignore geminijax Report Abuse Hambone61, I love your "lie tax" idea. All those politicians should be required to carry a screen with them at all times that shows how much "lie tax" they own. As several folks have said, this is indeed an attempt to violate our privacy, one more step on the way to a police state.
Hambone61 Champion Author Oregon Posts:7,458 Points:1,285,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:32:20 PM Ignore Hambone61 Report Abuse This could be a great idea only lets use it to track our Congressmen/women and Senators. We could post their locations on the Internet and this way we will know if they are doing hanky panky or in their office where they belong. And speaking of taxes.... let's put a tax on lies, this should reap enough to pay off the national debt in no time. We will tax all bureaucrats including the POTUS and first lady. WOW.... what a concept! Installed on each will be a counter registering every type of lie from little white ones to great big whoppers, of course, the whoppers will have a much higher tax. The money could easily be removed from their wages each month, if they are like many I know, they may have to pay when tallied instead of getting a paycheck. Do you think this may change things a little? Don't you agree this may be the type of "change we can believe in"?
rightsurrey All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:758 Points:289,270 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:08:41 PM Ignore rightsurrey Report Abuse Yes but it isn't 2020 yet. In the meantime raise gas taxes to encourage economy and make up for the shortfall in revenue caused by more fuel efficient vehicles.
clement007 All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:613 Points:582,780 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 11:19:48 AM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse Where is this in our constitution? THIS IS WRONG!
thwadi Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,000 Points:416,595 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 9:06:19 AM Ignore thwadi Report Abuse 60% of what I earn is taxed already. This is more BS.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,082 Points:264,355 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 8:19:17 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse If we MUST tax, then if we want to get rid of the Gas Guzzlers, reduce wear & tear on our roads....Tax based upon vehicle WEIGHT. Not a new idea!
kelsielee Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,045 Points:376,590 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 8:10:19 AM Ignore kelsielee Report Abuse Somehow we have to find a way to pay for road building and maintenance. If not and roads deteriorate, then everyone will complsin about the quality of the roads.
largobob Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,312 Points:2,103,285 Joined:Dec 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 7:48:29 AM Ignore largobob Report Abuse This would only encourage higher consumption...this is garbage.
BH24 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:4,294 Points:1,024,375 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 6:31:15 AM Ignore BH24 Report Abuse George Orwell must be feeling vindicated based on the climate of things that are unfolding these days.
Hunter724 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,719 Points:369,285 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 6:04:14 AM Ignore Hunter724 Report Abuse Very interesting..............
RocketGeek Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,071 Points:836,045 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:53:15 AM Ignore RocketGeek Report Abuse Sounds like a way to limit America's mobility and freedom.
jjjleblanc All-Star Author Rochester Posts:929 Points:361,300 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:25:38 AM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse What's wrong with the consumption model? This seems to penalize people who have purchased more efficient vehicles because they do drive alot.
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,746 Points:461,065 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:04:06 AM Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse Don't we have a by the mile road tax now? The more miles I drive, the more gallons I need and the more tax I pay. This by the mile scheme is simply another way to raise taxes higher.
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,417 Points:552,145 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 5:00:43 AM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse BS!!
run101 Champion Author San Jose Posts:4,788 Points:952,840 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:58:31 AM Ignore run101 Report Abuse What a stupid idea! You can park your hybrid car at home and provide hybrid car battery power to the house electricity. It is fuel tax free! It is also fuel tax free for portable electric generator running on gas or diesel. What about people unplug the big brother GPS power or shield the GPS antenna to save some by-the-mile tax?
oilrobber Champion Author Miami Posts:3,178 Points:664,955 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:58:05 AM Ignore oilrobber Report Abuse Nothing in the United States makes sense anymore. What the HELL ever happened to common sense. Here in Florida we spend hundreds of millions for landscape on Florida roads. Who cares if you have cluster of Palm trees and other crap. Why design a car to get better mileage, that will be meaningless. I say less government, less government programs. Then you will see how much money would be saved.
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,143 Points:554,095 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:57:41 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse So I pay as much with my SUV as The Preous people do
mdegug Champion Author Rochester Posts:1,052 Points:375,265 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:57:07 AM Ignore mdegug Report Abuse old news
Ratso Champion Author Ohio Posts:8,617 Points:1,418,745 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:48:50 AM Ignore Ratso Report Abuse What a way to rip the heart out of vacations....this administration has got to go !
BM4225 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,941 Points:881,740 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:44:33 AM Ignore BM4225 Report Abuse This would mean those that chose to get MPG vehicles would pay the same tax as those that wish to get 100 MPG. So why bother with the better MPG vehicle? Tax by consumption, and since we are using less, then increase the tax to replace lost revenue.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:8,422 Points:1,177,360 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:41:13 AM Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse Life was just too simple.
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,994 Points:1,318,210 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:39:23 AM Ignore Petrock Report Abuse I would be pretty strongly opposed to this idea. It is a disincentive to fuel economy and also a personal intrusion. As cars get smaller and more efficient, well constructed roads should require less maintanence. If they need more money for roads there must be a better way to pay. How about road tolls?
cheapertvs Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,631 Points:1,465,695 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:34:07 AM Ignore cheapertvs Report Abuse This tax would be counter productive and would discourage buying the smaller fuel efficient cars.
matifu Veteran Author Florida Posts:319 Points:79,365 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:33:34 AM Ignore matifu Report Abuse And then finally our lovely government will know about our whereabouts all the time. Will be a lot more easier to control us.
theawesome1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,127 Points:506,290 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:33:21 AM Ignore theawesome1 Report Abuse Well we may be taxed, but a GPS which is history next year, will not be working so good luck.........
SpruceGuse2 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,427 Points:1,199,300 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:33:11 AM Ignore SpruceGuse2 Report Abuse The price of driving will only increase and we will continue to accept it.
jimmy123NE Veteran Author Omaha Posts:473 Points:259,775 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:28:24 AM Ignore jimmy123NE Report Abuse I hope this will never happen. It is bad the way it is. This will only complicate things!
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:7,671 Points:1,412,820 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:27:47 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse Facist state grows stronger.
Metroman Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,082 Points:1,387,865 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:26:57 AM Ignore Metroman Report Abuse Oh that's great?! I guess there will be more old cars on the road that don't have GPS systems.
kolache101 Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,192 Points:1,486,980 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:24:42 AM Ignore kolache101 Report Abuse I drive a Prius - 46.5 mpg. The gas tax gives me an advantage over the gas hog. The BTM tax would penalize a car that gets good mileage! This is probably the most stupid way to tax - it would stop conservation of energy! Only Congress could find an advantage in that........... It sounds like an idea that only a 'Barney Frank' democrat would conceive! There cannot be that many ignorant people in government..I hope!
sherlockMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,349 Points:306,365 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:24:26 AM Ignore sherlockMS Report Abuse by the mile tax will kill the economy
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,122 Points:669,560 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:20:28 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse Sounds to me like its about time to get out the tube of KY jelly......
Gas Slave Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,855 Points:490,325 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:17:31 AM Ignore Gas Slave Report Abuse "Also, how about a 'legislator tax', drop their salaries down to under $100k a year and use the savings there for road taxes." I like it, but let's take it a step further, $25,000 and you work for the people. That way, they would be less likely to be a lifer like too many of them are today, and we would greatly limit the crap legislation that the House passed last Friday.
JadeKY Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,265 Points:452,905 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:17:03 AM Ignore JadeKY Report Abuse I'll go to riding a bicycle if that happens, too much 1984 in that Ideal.
cnw 1690 Champion Author South Dakota Posts:7,007 Points:1,527,560 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:11:51 AM Ignore cnw 1690 Report Abuse How about using the fuel tax ONLY on road upkeep, instead of using it to subsidize everything under the sun. Also, how about a 'legislator tax', drop their salaries down to under $100k a year and use the savings there for road taxes. These idiots in Washington are supposed to be serving their country, not raping it over a pork barrel.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:1,553 Points:844,675 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:08:44 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse So what happens when we have transporters that beam us from one place to another. How will we tax that?
leeso1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,015 Points:143,405 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:08:28 AM Ignore leeso1 Report Abuse fiction?
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:11,201 Points:1,465,220 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:05:36 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse Heaven forbid.
Harvolis Champion Author Montana Posts:1,620 Points:1,274,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 4:04:45 AM Ignore Harvolis Report Abuse Let your friends drive your car and send them the bill!!!
Mark929 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,662 Points:323,885 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:59:52 AM Ignore Mark929 Report Abuse I don't support this scenario.
UTOrangeMan Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,949 Points:555,025 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:49:49 AM Ignore UTOrangeMan Report Abuse Communism plain and simple.
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:1,119 Points:305,810 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:49:47 AM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse Those who are trying to conserve would be punished. They would be taxing the EVs and for what? That sucks.
garthfanok1 Veteran Author Indiana Posts:367 Points:94,220 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:47:40 AM Ignore garthfanok1 Report Abuse find that wire and clip it!!
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,961 Points:381,795 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:46:57 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Not only will they use it for taxes but they would be able to watch every move we make- there will be no privacy.
mandoid Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,680 Points:346,835 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:44:21 AM Ignore mandoid Report Abuse this is a power grab that this administration relishes in, states also. anything to tax us to death.