Kulongoski to pursue mileage tax

[Are_grits_groceries]

A year ago, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced it had demonstrated that a new way to pay for roads — via a mileage tax and satellite technology — could work.

Now Gov. Ted Kulongoski says he’d like the legislature to take the next step.
<snip>
“As Oregonians drive less and demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, it is increasingly important that the state find a new way, other than the gas tax, to finance our transportation system.”

According to the policies he has outlined online, Kulongoski proposes to continue the work of the special task force that came up with and tested the idea of a mileage tax to replace the gas tax.

The governor wants the task force “to partner with auto manufacturers to refine technology that would enable Oregonians to pay for the transportation system based on how many miles they drive.”
<snip>
http://www.dhonline.com/articles/2008/12/28/news/local/1aaa02_road.txt

NO! I don't want anybody following me with their satellites for any reason. Who knows what the government is really up to anyway?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. oh goody...one more thing

from the Gov't Intrusion Corporation for me to try to get around...

sP

[Zenlitened]

2. I confess, I go right for my tinfoil hat, too...

... when I hear about this sort of stuff. Heck, I'm even worried TPTB will someday start handing out speeding tickets based on EZ-pass tollbooth readings. :tinfoilhat:

[Sanctified]

3. If this passes I am moving across the river to Vancouver WA.

I can't afford more taxes, I am almost to the bone as it is.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Be interesting how they would do this and make in untamperable

The geeks would just take it as a challenge

[LiberalFighter]

5. Only Oregonians would pay even though out of staters use the roads too?

[99th_Monkey]

6. This is not only intrusive, but raises ugly questions about enforcement/collection

Maybe there's an explanation for this, but how in the fuck are they going to do this "on the ground"
.... by "partnering with auto mfgrs." ?? so all the new cars that people are NOT buying will be
equiped with a tracking device?? think about it ... that's pretty far-fetched in terms of a time
frame for implementation; unless of course the state mandates that some new "device" must be installed
on EVERY CAR before issuing and/or renewed vehicle permits.

And what do the Teamsters say about this? or is commercial trucking exempted (Kulongoski's very PRO-
union)? which raises sticky fairness issues for the general public having to bare the whole load for
commercial interests..

.. the whole idea stinks to high heaven IMHO.

[LWolf]

7. No, thanks.

:grr:

[Pastiche423]

8. He spoke about doing this several years ago

I can't remember if it made it to legislation and was shot down or it was just a threat like now.