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Carpool moms, exurban commuters and Sunday drivers, take note: You may soon pay more to drive, especially during rush hour. And a fuel-efficient car won't necessarily help.
Several states are testing high-tech alternatives to the gas tax you pay at the pump. These new systems, enabled by global-positioning technology, are based on the number of miles you drive and when you drive them.
In Portland, Ore., where a pilot program just ended, you might pay as much as nine times the current tax rate if you drive during rush hour. The idea is to make sure that motorists -- even those whose gas consumption wanes -- bear the cost of wear and tear on the nation's roads.
A huge national study run by the University of Iowa is ramping up in six metro areas. Thousands of drivers will continue to pay gas taxes at the pump, but they'll also get a simulated bill every month showing how much they would pay under a mileage-based system. At first, the bill will reflect only the amount due, based on miles driven. After a while, drivers will get more-detailed bills documenting their whereabouts.
Privacy concerns will doubtless make for battles royal as state legislatures try to balance the need to know with the need for tax revenues.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Please scroll down to our Comments Box.
POSTED BY: Joe (January 29, 2008 09:27 PM)
Another tax on the working man. American government is hurting its own people.
POSTED BY: Brian (February 19, 2008 01:19 PM)
Terrible idea. So if I get the fortwo that takes up half as much space on the road, I'm taxed as much as a semi taking up to 5-6 times as much space on the roads. Not only that, but lawn mowers won't be taxed at all?
POSTED BY: Jen (March 03, 2008 01:08 PM)
What a fantastic idea *sarcasm*! Instead of trying to trim their budgets and plan accordingly, cities and counties are trying to track our every motion to gain more in taxes. How about this idea -- instead of paying a sales tax on food, people should be forced to weigh themselves and receive a tax proportional to their weight. If you weight 300 lbs and you want to buy a Big Mac, you'll pay $100.
This is just another sad example of what happens when you cross an ever-increasing nanny state mentality with greed.
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