Driving tax considered in California


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SAN JOSE, Calif., July 18 (UPI) -- A California transportation agency said it is considering a tax on motorists for each mile they drive in their cars.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the San Francisco Bay area agency leading the discussions on the possible tax, said the plan would likely involve GPS-like devices installed in cars to keep track of the miles traveled by motorists, with low-income drivers excepted, the San Jose Mercury News reported Wednesday.

Randy Rentschler, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, said the plan for a vehicle miles traveled tax, or VMT, could take up to a decade to implement if it is embraced by the public.

"I don't want to say it's pie in the sky. A VMT charge is really an option for the future to be looked at and considered," Rentschler said.

The Association of Bay Area Governments, which includes city councilors and county supervisors, is scheduled to analyze a study of the proposal Thursday.

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absolutely stupid. tax and spend has ruined California. Why don't they ever learn? they ruined California Central valley farmers over some stupid smelt fish.

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Wow...really? Who wants to live in California (or can afford to anyway). I figured the tax on gas would alleviate any need on paying per mile. Doesn't a person who gets less MPG pay more per mile/state than someone who gets more MPG?

Also, how detailed would the GPS be? Privacy concerns? Cost of installing the GPS on the driver or the state...and if it is the state....how far do the drivers have to go before "it pays for itself"?

Stupid tax.

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There are plenty new revenue sources that are just waiting to be explored. These should allow the government to sustain it's self for many more years to come. It is each citizens duty to step up and chip in; welcome to the new America.

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they assume when they pass taxes that, they will generate X amount of income. but everyone is broke, lost their jobs and aren't contributing. but Jerry Brown was voted BACK by the people. oh well.... not my problem

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PA tried this under the genius of Ed Rendell a couple of years ago. It was deemed too big brother and didn't go through. That's how I hope it plays out in CA as well. There is absolutely no way that tracking the citizens is not a violation of their privacy.

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One more reason for companies to leave California for Texas, Arizona and points East all the way to Florida, and they are leaving in droves. Just this week there was a story about all the new space companies that are moving or expanding in Texas rather than in California, including SpaceX.

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Wow...really? Who wants to live in California (or can afford to anyway). I figured the tax on gas would alleviate any need on paying per mile. Doesn't a person who gets less MPG pay more per mile/state than someone who gets more MPG?

Also, how detailed would the GPS be? Privacy concerns? Cost of installing the GPS on the driver or the state...and if it is the state....how far do the drivers have to go before "it pays for itself"?

Stupid tax.

Almost exactly what I was going to post. Taxes on license plates and gas are supposed to cover things like this. Why would they be taxing the mileage as well? That sounds like they are trying to tax the same thing (fuel consumption) twice, which the last I heard was illegal in most places.

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One more reason for companies to leave California for Texas, Arizona and points East all the way to Florida, and they are leaving in droves. Just this week there was a story about all the new space companies that are moving or expanding in Texas rather than in California, including SpaceX.

The more I hear about nonsense like this out of California, the more I think the US would be much better off ejecting them from the union. California is the Greece of the US.

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Tax the tax we pay! And if that's not enough, put fees on top of the percentage of tax we pay on our taxes. Wait, let's be real. Those fees need to be taxed as well.

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I believe there was a politician who talked about his happening one day and how insane it would be. And I think it was Ron Paul. I think he also mentioned the danger of the government having tracking devices forced on us. If I'm wrong I apologize.

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Wouldn't it just be easier to increase the tax on gas?

California gives a huge tax credit to buyers of electric vehicles, and there is also a federal credit for both EV's and hybrids funded by borrowed Chinese funds (read: stimulus.) This reduces the gas used, and thereby the gas taxes collected. A vicious circle, but instead of taxing the license plate renewals of the electric vehicle owners, who should pick up the tab, they're going to hit everyone for the losses - and then some.

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California gives a huge tax credit to buyers of electric vehicles, and there is also a federal credit for both EV's and hybrids funded by borrowed Chinese funds (read: stimulus.) This reduces the gas used, and thereby the gas taxes collected. A vicious circle, but instead of taxing the license plate renewals of the electric vehicle owners, who should pick up the tab, they're going to hit everyone for the losses - and then some.

Then increase the gas tax as well as the yearly renewal taxes and when the majority of cars are electric and hybrid you can remove the tax credits for buying those.

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They already tax by mile.. it's the taxes on Gas..

I don't mind them suggesting this idea, I mean it's best to have debates over all ideas, good and bad, but it will never happen. Calf isn't small, you can't punish people for having to drive around inside the state..

Now.. a congestion charge, like London has, for cities.. those I don't mind.. you can drive anywhere, you pay in the places where there are too many people..

Also, if they don't want people to drive.. why did they destroy almost all public transportation ? Call the people when there are subways, trains, etc everywhere for everyone to use..

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