Proposed Revenue Generation to Address Growing San Diego/LA Traffic

[snpdragr]

Originally Posted by elchevere

true, but how often do you cross the Arizona/CA border(s)?

Maybe 2-3 times in the past year.

I'm also totally against mileage based taxes for the same reason. Easier and more efficient to just raise the gas tax a little bit. No need to create and pay for a whole new tax infrastructure.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by elchevere

Have the State of California implement a $10 or $20 toll on all interstates for those entering California from Arizona, in much the same way there is a toll for New Jersey residents to enter NYC via the George Washington Bridge. Think of it as Zonies now having to pay a small admission fee for the right to enter a national park. No skin off my back if Arizona decides to retaliate and I guarantee California comes out way ahead on that exchange while generating additional revenue for the state.

Probably can't do it as Interstates are federal and a State cannot do that. They can on hwys built in the State by the State.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/road_charge/resources/index.html

Tolling: Tolls are user fees charged to drivers
who choose to drive in special express lanes
or on dedicated toll roads.
Could it be done? Not on a broad scale. Federal law restricts tolling on existing roads and would certainly be unpopular. Land for new toll facilities is scarce. California has several dedicated toll roads and tolled express lanes in metropolitan areas. Senate Bill (SB) 194 signed into law in October 2015 expands the potential for toll facilities in California, however tolling is predominately viewed as a method for increasing efficiency of the system and not as a revenue generating option. The revenues generated by these facilities support maintenance, operations

[expatCA]

I see another problem. On SoCal freeways a lot of gas is used to go short distances due to the crowded freeways and highways. If it were a mileage tax it might be less productive than the gas tax.

[TristramShandy]

Originally Posted by sav858

It already has been proposed:

California Road Charge Pilot Program - News

Caltrans seeks 5,000 volunteer motorists for mileage fee pilot program - LA Times

Tracking miles as gas tax alternative raises fairness, privacy concerns - LA Times

That would be devastating for me. As an adjunct professor, I'm not allowed to teach more than two classes per school, so I'm traveling the 5 and 15 all the time. Lots of professions would be crippled with such a law.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by elchevere

not applicable only to AZ residents....if you happen to reside in Texas, New Mexico, or wherever but are driving through Arizona to get into CA, the toll would be applicable as well

In that case, there should also be a "toll" on rental cars. Of course, the problem with that is that Californians also rent cars here.

Unfortunately, I agree with the person who said that even if we do increase taxes or put tolls, our state government seems to have a nasty habit of "forgetting" what that money is supposed to go for and applying it elsewhere.

Once consequence of any mileage tax on California residents is that it will push more people towards urban areas. That will drive up housing costs in those already expensive areas even more. The people in the middle and low ends of the income spectrum are the ones who will be squeezed the most by this as a result. We'd need to put more investment into reliable, inexpensive public transportation throughout the state (not just in urban areas) to make it work, but the catch-22 is that we would then eventually get less money from the mileage tax if more people can use public transit.

I guess I would go with a gas tax as a result...but first, I'd want to see that there isn't a way to use the funds we're already budgeting for infrastructure a little more smartly.