Will you drive less starting next January? (San Diego: sales, 2014)

[cb73]

I'm reading various news articles about the new gas tax that will take effect next January, that will permanently add somewhere between $.15 and $.76 a gallon to your gas bill.

The point of the bill seems to be global warming and if gas prices go up, people will drive less, thus improving the environment. But one article said that the money raised will go to people in the Central Valley who have to commute for work.

Will you drive less? Or just pay more?

One article:
Effort underway to delay what some call 'hidden gas tax' in California - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego

[chuckmann]

Originally Posted by cb73

I'm reading various news articles about the new gas tax that will take effect next January, that will permanently add somewhere between $.15 and $.76 a gallon to your gas bill.

The point of the bill seems to be global warming and if gas prices go up, people will drive less, thus improving the environment. But one article said that the money raised will go to people in the Central Valley who have to commute for work.

Will you drive less? Or just pay more?

One article:
Effort underway to delay what some call 'hidden gas tax' in California - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego

I drive maybe 50-60 miles a week. Not sure how I can drive less. I'm old, have a grat deal of trouble walking, and am dependent upon my car to get to the grocery store.

Screw Gerry. Screw the liberal left tyrants, screw CARB, screw all who think that punishing the poor, the elderly, and the working people of this state is something to embrace, just because of your idiotic adherence to the AGW agenda.

[Electrician4you]

I don't have a choice. I have to drive. I'll just have to pay

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

I don't have a choice. I have to drive. I'll just have to pay

Me too, I already carpool every day. Don't really have any other options.

Bohica, the liberals are at it again.

[Call_me_Tom]

I don't have much of a choice, I was transfer & my new location is 30 miles away. My previous location was only 5 miles & I used to ride my bicycle to work. I'll probably fix & start riding my motorcycle when the weather permits.

[thelopez2]

I'm going to drive more so I can pay more taxes to help out those people.

[eccotecc]

Do you think maybe when cars went from getting 20 miles/gallon to 40 miles/gallon that the gas and sales taxes were reduced proportionately? People are encouraged to conserve but on the other hand penalized financially for doing so. Taxes are what grease squeaky political wheels.

People are going to pay the tax no matter what, but in the long run it'll cost the state more than what it will earn. Businesses will leave the state, as was mentioned, tourism will be impacted, more people will work from home, and many of the low paying jobs that support the California auto culture will be lost.

I also think many will go from commuting to a low paying job to some type of government subsistence program that pays more than minimum wage. Remember, these taxes are paid with after tax dollars.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

Do you think maybe when cars went from getting 20 miles/gallon to 40 miles/gallon that the gas and sales taxes were reduced proportionately? People are encouraged to conserve but on the other hand penalized financially for doing so.

An increase of 100% in efficiency results in a savings of 50%. An 18% (max) increase in cost of fuel still realizes a net savings of 32%. The probability is high that the increase will be less, and staged. Our actual cost increase will likely be closer to $0.15 than to $0.76 per gallon. Thus netting us somewhere closer to 40% fuel savings over yesterday's cars. Frustrating, but not exactly a penalty.

Except for knuckleheads like me who still drive 25-year-old pickup trucks

[BeauCharles]

My three year old car has less than 15,000 miles on it. I don't think I can drive any less.

[ketch89]

Drivers don't pay anywhere near what they cost society in damage to our environment, health, and safety; and they still won't when this tax goes into effect. Gas will still be far cheaper than in Europe. If you truly need to drive long distances to work, then buy a Leaf or a Volt. Consider moving closer to work, moving near a rail or bus line that goes to your work, finding a job closer to home, etc. We can't continue to subsidize machines that cause great harm to our planet, that's madness. This tax is just common sense - do the harm, pay the bill for it.