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Washington state has been running a 'pilot project' for a state mileage tax. The state wishes to replace the gas tax with a mileage tax. As fuel economy goes up, they get less revenue from the gas tax, and from electric cars they get zero revenue.
2000 people voluntarily agreed to take part in the test. One f them was Mariya Frost, who works at the Washington Policy center, a conservative think tank here. She blogged about her experience. She was unsettled by the amount of data that the mileage tax ap recorded. It recorded each incident of speeding, 'harsh turns,' etc.
It is not tough to imagine the state issueing an automatic speeding ticket every time you do 62 in a 60. Of course they're going to say, 'oh noes, we would never do that.' But history shows that if something can be done to bring in gov't revenue, it will be done. The common scenario is that an 'emergency' measure is enacted because of some disaster--say an earthquake, or an eruption of Mt. Rainier. Or something 'for the children. Then the tax, fee, or fine stays in place forever.
This would effectively turn your vehicle into an ATM for the state.
Ha! That's what happens when a state and it's legislature strive to be another mini California. I hope Washingtonians learn a lesson. You want be progressive? Then embrace it with all it's glory.
I wished to mention a couple examples of legislative 'creep.' One is the federal income tax, which when enacted had a top rate of 7% for those making $500,000/yr ($11 million in today's money). Another is the social security number. When first enacted, it was promised never to become some kind of national ID number that could be used to track all Americans. We'd NEVER let such a privacy-invading, liberty-sucking circumstance. And see what happened.
The gas tax won't amount to much when electric cars become common in the states with large population. If the millennials and those who follow them abandon their parent's suburban ways and lives, then the gas taxes won't be bringing in today's revenue even if the electric cars don't take over.
But out here in the mountain west, where the distances are vast and the people are few, the gas tax will still be an effective revenue generator for some time to come. The gasoline powered engine still has its advantages out here for a while.
Government always needs revenue sources. When one tax fails to deliver it's share of revenue, they will always find another way to get the tax money. I think a fast food tax would be a good replacement for the gas tax. No one cooks from scratch at home anymore.
Government always needs revenue sources. When one tax fails to deliver it's share of revenue, they will always find another way to get the tax money. I think a fast food tax would be a good replacement for the gas tax. No one cooks from scratch at home anymore.
Maybe Government should look to be more fiscally responsible, and reduce cost instead of constantly looking for more revenue sources from people that can least afford it, the middle income, earner, and the poor.
The gas tax won't amount to much when electric cars become common in the states with large population. If the millennials and those who follow them abandon their parent's suburban ways and lives, then the gas taxes won't be bringing in today's revenue even if the electric cars don't take over.
But out here in the mountain west, where the distances are vast and the people are few, the gas tax will still be an effective revenue generator for some time to come. The gasoline powered engine still has its advantages out here for a while.
Government always needs revenue sources. When one tax fails to deliver it's share of revenue, they will always find another way to get the tax money. I think a fast food tax would be a good replacement for the gas tax. No one cooks from scratch at home anymore.
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