newsobserver.com projects - gas tax - Comments

Re: Gas tax may not drop this summer

PaulTerrell — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:35:56 -0400

Will someone please take the credit card away from the Democrats. They are already $560 million over 2010 budget and could be as much as $3 billion over.

Re: Gas tax may not drop this summer

stevemichaels — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:38:02 -0400

What is often failed to be mentioned is how much of the taxes collected from gas fails to be used for its intended purpose - I would love to see the N&O actually do some research and publish how much of the "highway fund" gets siphoned off on non related projects - I know for sure its in the multi million dollar range (my wife works for the state DOT). I have no problems paying a reasonable tax to travel the roads - I do mind when my gas tax goes to pay for another purpose.

Re: Other states consider odometer tax

jonoflocke — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:11:05 -0500

But are those other states considering keeping their gasoline tax alongside the VMT? And are those other states' gas taxes as high as North Carolina's? And are those other states trying the Orwellian approach to try to track citizens with GPS? And are those other states' highway funds as misused and misallocated as North Carolina's?

I'm not fond of using the argument that a foolish thing is less foolish if someone else does it, too, but it could be that the other states are doing a foolish thing less foolishly than what is currently proposed in NC.

Re: Other states consider odometer tax

diggs62 — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:25:48 -0500

Maybe everyone can be billed by the amount of gas purchased and miles traveled within the state. Equip each vehicle with a small computer that tracks the info, then bill each driver for their use each quarter. If they don't pay, block license renewals and inspections. Also, you can charge a tariff for larger gas guzzlers. This might be the only fair way to get road funds.

Re: Odometer tax seriously considered

meschreiner — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:59:29 -0500

No answer yet on the question of how the state would verify that every mile taxed was actually driven within the state? The article says GPS, mentions Iowa and Oregon, then doesn't say how it would work.

Would we have to pay an N.C. mile-traveled tax on a trip to DC or Myrtle Beach?

Nineteen Eighty-Four

jonoflocke — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:13:40 -0500

Your government tracking you by GPS for tax purposes (and whatever else happen to spring to their minds later) is a decidedly creepy proposition. But not only is this a terrible idea fraught with unintended consequences, it's also unnecessary. The money is already there for funding roads if the money is spent on transportation options according to public demand.

More to come

James_Protzman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:57:47 -0500

Though I have no idea who you are, I suspect there are plenty of things we agree on ... things that usually get trumped by partisan posturing.

That's why I re-registered as an unaffiliated voter this year ... so I can have a clearer view when cutting through the bull.

For example, I had a conversation last night with a Republican insider who shares my views almost exactly about the insanity of the US Navy's continuing shell game related to the OLF. There's another situation where farming interests, family interests, property rights, the small-government crowd, and environmental stewardship all converge to cross partisan boundaries.

Come on over.

Too expensive

scharrison — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:43:01 -0500

"Plus...bribery of my mechanic sounds more appealing than paying the government."

Look, trying to bribe someone who earns $25 an hour can cost an arm, and maybe part of a leg. Especially if you're trying to get them to break the law.

Blackmailing the mechanic is a much cheaper option, and it's not as hard to do as you might think. See Chapter 4 titled, "The Honey Trap" in Blackmail For Dummies. It spells it out nicely. Of course, you need to keep the whole thing secret, because if people find out you're promoting blackmail...especially in a public forum...it can get you in tr...DOH!

(sound of tires squealing)

Re: Odometer tax seriously considered

CitizenOpinionated — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:29:19 -0500

The VMT is a horrid idea...the reason I know...

I think this may be the first time that Protzman and I agree on something...and we both agree that this is a bad idea...

Mark on it on the calendars...

No love for VMT

James_Protzman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:10:00 -0500

Our little poll says very bad idea. The related discussion 'splains why.

Re: Odometer tax seriously considered

CitizenOpinionated — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:02:26 -0500

Has anyone taken the time to think how this new tax idea might affect small businesses and or other transportation intensive companies?

Plus...bribery of my mechanic sounds more appealing than paying the government.

Re: Odometer tax seriously considered

dahedgehog — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:48:20 -0500

Thank you rubyji!

I'm all for CREATING tax incentives that reduce people's incentives to drive. Higher taxes on driving are one tool we can use to more accurately price the negative externalities (pollution, congestion, etc.) associated with increased driving.

However, it makes no sense to SHIFT taxes from a tax that encourages purchases of more fuel-efficient vehicles (the gas tax) to a tax that treats the societal impact of a Prius the same as a Suburban (the odometer tax). That's a step backwards.

Re: Odomoter tax seriously considered

j1c2kp — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:07:43 -0500

uh oh big brother is gonna be watching. I wonder how many miles legislators drive while in session, are they going to penalize them also. I think not.

Re: Odomoter tax seriously considered

breining24 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:06:50 -0500

The DOT doesn't have enough funding but yet is spending $275 million on a loop around Fayetteville (pop. 121,000). Before we start taxing the citizens to death, how about cutting out theses types of pork projects conjured up by Fayetteville residents Sen Tony Rand and DOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett. A realistic, straight forward approach of building roads where we need them, combined with banning taking highway funds for other programs, would probably eliminate the need for yet another tax.

Re: Odomoter tax seriously considered

Right_is_Right — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:43:47 -0500

Honestly, CitizenOpinionated -- why doesn't the state just fix the broken Highway Trust Fund? What happens if I decide to take my family on a cross-country trip? I don't think it'd be fair for North Carolina to tax me on miles I drove out of state. This is a pathetic idea that'll probably pass easily.