North Carolina is considering taxing drivers for how far they drive.
The proposed "road-use tax" would at first be simple, with the state checking your odometer annually and taxing you based on how many miles you've driven.
But transportation experts say new GPS technology could allow the state to charge people different rates based on when and where they drive.
Talk of a Vehicle Miles Traveled tax has long been discussed as a necessity, especially since cars are becoming more efficient, leading to a drop in gas tax revenue.
The 21st Century Transportation Committee suggested that motorists pay a quarter-cent for each mile they drive, with the first 2,000 miles free. A motorist who drives 12,000 miles a year would pay $25, possibly when their car is inspected. (Char-O)
Comments
Re: Odometer tax seriously considered
December 15, 2008 - 3:59pm — meschreinerNo 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
December 15, 2008 - 1:13pm — jonoflockeYour 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
December 15, 2008 - 12:57pm — James_ProtzmanThough 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
December 15, 2008 - 12:43pm — scharrison"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
December 15, 2008 - 12:29pm — CitizenOpinionatedThe 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
December 15, 2008 - 12:10pm — James_ProtzmanOur little poll says very bad idea. The related discussion 'splains why.
Re: Odometer tax seriously considered
December 15, 2008 - 12:02pm — CitizenOpinionatedHas 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
December 15, 2008 - 11:48am — dahedgehogThank 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
December 15, 2008 - 10:07am — j1c2kpuh 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
December 15, 2008 - 10:06am — breining24The 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
December 15, 2008 - 9:43am — Right_is_RightHonestly, 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.
Gas tax
December 15, 2008 - 9:42am — rubyjiWhy not just tax the gas instead of the miles? That would reward people who drive more efficient vehicles?
I'd be glad to pay more IF I knew the money would go to transit, sidewalks, and greenways instead of more highways.
Re: Odomoter tax seriously considered
December 15, 2008 - 9:34am — CitizenOpinionatedCoupled with the highest gas tax in the Southeast, plus an accepted distribution of funds from the "Highway Trust Fund." Enough is enough. Stop taxing me, because the government can not effectively manage its own money.