Oregon to test mileage tax as replacement for gas tax

[DustMolecule]

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Think about it: Most money for highway construction and maintenance comes from state and federal taxes on gasoline. If people bought a lot less gas, highways would get a lot less money.

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At the panel's request, Oregon State University researchers have developed technology that can distinguish miles driven in Oregon from those driven elsewhere, then allow a mileage tax to be calculated and paid at the pump in place of the state gas tax.

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In 1999, Ford brought some of its alternative-fuel-concept cars to Salem, Oregon's capital, for a demonstration. Bruce Starr, then a Republican state representative from the Portland suburbs, took a spin in a $6 million fuel-cell vehicle. "I got to thinking, 'What happens when you encourage high-mileage vehicles?' " Starr remembers. "That was in some respects the genesis of this."

<snip>

For vehicles, they crafted a device with an electronic odometer and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that determines whether a car is being driven in a predetermined "zone" — inside or outside Oregon, for instance. The miles in each zone are recorded separately.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2001972174&zsection_id=2001780260&slug=mileagetax05m&date=20040705

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Very interesting article - it's a bit long, but covers a lot of ground. Current gas guzzlers currently pay more than drivers of more efficient cars, anticipated privacy issues, collection of mileage tax, how oil companies would 'feel' about this, etc.

[stevedeshazer]

1. I live in Oregon

I have all my life.

If the state of Oregon, or anyone else, tells me that I need an electronic odometer and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to tell a government entity where, when, and how often I drive in my own area, that will be the day I leave for good.

This idea is not the right solution. The solution is the weight/mile tax. We've had it, and it works.

[Nikia]

2. The gas tax should remain for now

Alternative energy vechicles should be encouraged as oil is polluting and is a non renewable resource. Alternative energy vehicles are not yet in popular use. Their use should be encouraged. If they use less gas, they are paying less tax, which is one way to encourage such vehicles. When the majority of vehicles are high mileage vehicles, then we can talk about changing tax system.

[Liberal Classic]

3. Auto drivers heavily subsidize the trucking industry

Highway construction and maintenence burdern placed on the road network by tractor trailers far outstrip wear and tear caused by passenger automobiles. The gasoline tax used to pay for highway maintenence falls largely on owners of passenger cars, much moreso than the trucking industry.

To me, this proposal is the wrong solution to a mis-diagnosed problem.

[DustMolecule]

4. This definitely is NOT the correct solution

but, Bruce Starr is correct on one thing, it will definitely be an issue that needs to be addressed. Especially if we 'liberals' get 'our way' with more fuel efficient/environmentally friendly vehicles. Dems really need to be thinking about ALL the issues involved and be PRO-ACTIVE to what those 'solutions' should be before we have to counter-act what the repugs suggest!

I guess that's why I really started this thread in the first place. There's a lot of 'great minds' who look at this board.

Peace.