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By-the-mile road tax could replace by-the-gallon federal fue

The Kansas City Star -- The year is 2020 and the gasoline tax is history. In its place you get a monthly tax bill based on each mile you drove — tracked by a Global Positioning System device in your car and uploaded to a billing center.

What once was science fiction is being field-tested by the University of Iowa to iron out the wrinkles should a by-the-mile road tax ever be enacted.

Besides the technological advances making such a tax possible, the idea is getting a hard push from a growing number of transportation experts and officials. That is because the traditional by-the-gallon fuel tax, struggling to keep up with road building and maintenance demands, could fall even farther behind as vehicles’ gas mileage rises and more alternative-fuel vehicles come on line.

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Submitted Jul 02, 2009 By: mapcat

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Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,030 Points:395,435 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:46:57 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Not only will they use it for taxes but they would be able to watch every move we make- there will be no privacy.
mandoid Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,715 Points:353,760 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:44:21 AM Ignore mandoid Report Abuse this is a power grab that this administration relishes in, states also. anything to tax us to death.
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,030 Points:395,435 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:44:18 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Instead of maying people for driveing gas guzzlers, It will be making people pay just as much for 2 seat boxes. In effect it will turn our roads into toll roads.
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,965 Points:337,480 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:44:07 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse well most of the newer cars already have a gps system in them with onstar and many others so it will not take much for them too hook into there system but i do not agree with this it sounds like an invasion of privacy too me
MattManIA Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,611 Points:446,795 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:41:02 AM Ignore MattManIA Report Abuse Sounds like a major privacy invasion, to me. It's none of the government's business where I drive or when, and GPS locators would allow them to determine exactly that.
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,965 Points:337,480 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:39:17 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse i do not think this should be put into place without a vote of the people who put these idiots in there office now what about how much time they spend flying around in there corporate jets and anyone who has a long commute too work might as well stay home
k54frog Champion Author California Posts:5,091 Points:1,088,305 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:39:10 AM Ignore k54frog Report Abuse With microtechnology advancing as it is they will be able to add GPS to all the bicycles too. That way bike riders could earn 'credits' against the mileage tax and improve their health in the process. Now that would save a LOT of money in health care costs.
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:37:18 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse You've got that right, FASTR1. No need for photo radar anymore. "We caught you speeding at 32nd and Lexington, again at 39th and Korky, again at 48th and Bristol, again at 55th and Gorily, again at Wright and Cooper, again at Charleston and Marley". "For today's infractions, please remit $3,139.67, before close of business tomorrow, or all your possessions will be confiscated and your family will be thrown out on the street, where they will promptly be arrested and fined for loitering". [Edited by: GasMiserAZ at 7/3/2009 4:44:00 AM EST]
lonelyshark Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,569 Points:447,285 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:37:03 AM Ignore lonelyshark Report Abuse Stupid idea. You use more gas by driving more miles and you wind up paying more tax. Sounds like you already pay by the mile without the expense of the high tech crap. If your car weighs a lot and wears out the roads more, you pay more because you get worse mileage.
RhodeThode Champion Author Nebraska Posts:4,682 Points:1,090,920 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:36:08 AM Ignore RhodeThode Report Abuse I can see that "THEY" need to get some income from cars like the Volt which won't be paying a gas tax. Disregard additional electric utility taxes -- it ain't going to be free! BUT by taking away the per-gallon tax, aren't THEY reducing the incentive to use more fuel-efficient vehicles?
OTISFL All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:828 Points:148,380 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:29:02 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse This is the most absurd, abonoxious peice of crap I have ever heard. Another tactic to track every move a person makes, but with more presidents and the type of government we have it will happen.
CorvetteJenny Rookie Author Portland Posts:33 Points:3,095 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:19:22 AM Ignore CorvetteJenny Report Abuse This program sucks, trying out here in Oregon too.....BIG BROTHER SEEs to much already..WIth GPS they can also KNOW where your car went, when it did, and HOW fast you were going..SPEEDING TICKETS by computer,Let the cops have their job IN MARKED cars and leave the eye in the sky to the pages of "Brave New World" and "1984"... Same system could also calculate parking tickets!! Only one small step from here to implanted human tracking systems...This has to be stopped....
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:17:22 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse Les7h, how are you going to do that? They are tracking your vehicle every second that it's moving. They already know your miles. It's not like you have to report it.
FASTR1 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,740 Points:550,770 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:15:56 AM Ignore FASTR1 Report Abuse Hmmmm, gps in every vehicle tracked by the government, hmmmmm, sounds like a great idea, nottt! No way would I let them put gps's on my motorcycles, they could tell how fast I ride, crap, I'd get a letter in the mail within a week telling me I no longer have a drivers licence.
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:12:57 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse vibdata, you forgot about the provision where they also confiscate everything you own, and throw your family out on the street. Then jail and fine them for loitering.
vibdata Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,489 Points:334,580 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:03:45 AM Ignore vibdata Report Abuse What happens when computer/techno glitchies charge you $39,949,394,684 too much for the month and you have to pay up or be terminated by the auto-termination equipment embedded in your brain?
Les7h Champion Author Texas Posts:1,337 Points:365,420 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:59:53 AM Ignore Les7h Report Abuse Too easy to cheat - not show all of your miles
mvosevich Champion Author St. Louis Posts:2,945 Points:595,555 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:56:58 AM Ignore mvosevich Report Abuse More taxes with big brother looking over your shoulder, whats next?
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:3,171 Points:1,830,105 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:56:48 AM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse So, "they" are going to track our movements? Where are all the fanatics who cried out about privacy concerns when Bush wanted to eavesdrop on the terrorists - Oh, I'm sorry. Did I call them that? I mean the members of the religion that has made such a rich contribution to American culture. At least that's the way the Messiah sees it. By all means, what we need is MORE government intrusion into our lives, right?
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:2,146 Points:1,056,585 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:55:32 AM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Who came up with this brain storm.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,317 Points:352,390 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:54:00 AM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse this is about the sickest, most demonic, police-state idea for a tax ever envisioned by mankind.
carlsonguitars Champion Author Portland Posts:3,056 Points:484,515 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:53:59 AM Ignore carlsonguitars Report Abuse OH PLEASE!!! The only people that would pay for this are CONSUMERS.... that's right, YOU AND ME!!! What if we don't drive a lot?!?! WE WOULD STILL PAY!!! Think about HOW your food and goods get to the store. - that's right, BY SEMI TRUCKS and delivery services like UPS, FEDEX, etc. SO IF LOGISTIC COMPANIES are shelling out extra taxes, that means they would pass those costs onto us... That means we are really become more of a SOCIALIST government vs. being more of a, uh...... well.... whatever it is right now. The best term to paraphrase our government is SCREWED UP....
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:3,561 Points:904,935 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:42:31 AM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse And you thought USA Big Brother was only used on the rest of the world.
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:40:51 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse Now there's a senate bill in the works today that will fine you up to a thousand dollars for not buying "affordable" health insurance. You and I are going to be fined for not having health insurance. Guess Who decides what "affordable" is? Yep, you guessed it, the guy that's worth six million bucks!
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:33:09 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse You voted for "change" and "redistribution of the wealth" people. Do you still want it? He never told you that the "redistribution" was from your pocket to his, did he?
52MPG All-Star Author Dayton Posts:858 Points:485,890 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:32:27 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse Yet more complication added to our lives by the government.
915Chief Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,290 Points:448,120 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:29:40 AM Ignore 915Chief Report Abuse oh yes, it would have to be forced on people; who the hell wants to be tracked by GPS and reported to the government?
PenDoctrJD Champion Author Orange County Posts:5,267 Points:1,737,315 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:25:21 AM Ignore PenDoctrJD Report Abuse $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
SurreySidekick Veteran Author Vancouver Posts:282 Points:123,765 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:23:17 AM Ignore SurreySidekick Report Abuse I heard about such system a while back and I think is pretty fair to everyone in general.
Slyguy1060 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,935 Points:970,045 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:22:33 AM Ignore Slyguy1060 Report Abuse That makes me see red!
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,499 Points:1,227,540 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:21:56 AM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse now the truckers will drive less, and the cost of EVERYTHING will go SKY HIGH. O'Bummer admitted this will happen with Cap and Trade, so to make sure, he wants this dumb law in case that other garbage law fails in the Senate. SOCIALISM...here we come. Is this REALLY the "CHANGE we can believe in" you were promised last fall ? Hey, ALL smokers must be earning over 250,000 a year, because Barry promised only those people earning at that level would EVER pay higher taxes. On April 1, 2009, the FEDERAL government imposed the largest TOBACCO TAX "INCREASE" in US history. How appropriate that date was--maybe we should dedicate that tax to the fool in the White House.
ChannelIslands Champion Author Ventura Posts:2,929 Points:339,475 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:20:33 AM Ignore ChannelIslands Report Abuse Wrong answer IMHO.
findcheap Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,231 Points:748,995 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:16:48 AM Ignore findcheap Report Abuse all talk; never go through
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:15:06 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse I wonder if they'll be tracking my golf cart also. I can always use it to go to the store and short trips.
RLH68 Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,665 Points:717,675 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:14:49 AM Ignore RLH68 Report Abuse Big Brother wants more and more involvement in our lives. More freedom given up.
GasMiserAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,671 Points:416,225 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:13:11 AM Ignore GasMiserAZ Report Abuse That will sure make it hard to get away with robbing a bank since the Feds will know where every vehicle in this country is at any given second. "1984" has arrived!
rwm1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:1,542 Points:613,510 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:11:10 AM Ignore rwm1 Report Abuse But its also getting a harder push by the electorate. Being an Iowan and listening to friends, family and local media this idea has already been shot down. Governor Culver wants no part of any gas tax in any form. Right now roads are being repaired and maintained by the stimulus package Iowa received. No politician or elected bureaucrat is going to want to advocate this if he or she wants to stay elected. We lost two bi-partisan congress people last year after they proposed a huge tax increase of about 18 or 20 cents a gallon.
52MPG All-Star Author Dayton Posts:858 Points:485,890 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:10:17 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse Ah yes more change.
blink25 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:768 Points:200,590 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 2:08:37 AM Ignore blink25 Report Abuse to heck with em,,,,they watch and tax everything else under the sun,,,,,I do not want them keeping tabs and charging me for the miles I choose to drive,,,,
jadeusa Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,805 Points:589,410 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:58:06 AM Ignore jadeusa Report Abuse Wonder how many on these boards have ever read George Orwell's "1984" with all of the predictions of "Big Brother" and the "eye in the sky". Actually 1984 was a good year since we didn't have those fictional characters, but 25 years later we're talking about willingly giving up our freedoms every day. Actually, just to pay for the upkeep of roads and bridges then you begin to set up tolls for freeways and bridges that get the most traffic. You have the users paying their share and others that don't want to pay will have to use out of the way less traveled roads and bridges.
spiderjay Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,523 Points:389,535 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:47:17 AM Ignore spiderjay Report Abuse STRAIGHT FROM GEORGE ORWELLS '1984' BIG BROTHER IS AH WATCHIN'
NavyStore Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,296 Points:904,260 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:47:16 AM Ignore NavyStore Report Abuse Makes sense, although I'd rather see a mileage fee based on anything over 12,000 miles per vehicle per year. That way when you renew your tabs, they verify your odometer. Let those that use the roads pay the most for them.
wasmith85 Veteran Author Philadelphia Posts:441 Points:165,160 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:46:01 AM Ignore wasmith85 Report Abuse Well now big brother even watches my mileage, how comforting. :(
bosrs All-Star Author Seattle Posts:830 Points:269,875 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:37:06 AM Ignore bosrs Report Abuse that is Soooooooooooooooo mess up!!!
IMIrish Rookie Author Detroit Posts:25 Points:879,400 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:28:53 AM Ignore IMIrish Report Abuse Big Brother is going to be all over this if it gets going. How about getting a speeding ticket because the GPS showed you covered 80 miles in an hour or less. No expensive police to get involved. Don't think it won't happen once the technology is there!
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:2,883 Points:561,450 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:28:06 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Tax us until we all go bankrupt
Michaelsz06 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,877 Points:400,085 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:23:48 AM Ignore Michaelsz06 Report Abuse Instead of promoting higher mileage cars benefits the tax and spend crazies that now control Washington will always come up with a new way to tax people more.
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:2,410 Points:572,795 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:21:49 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse Sounds like they're just trying to scare us. Well, now at least we'll be able to track Republican Governors, Senators and Congressmen, to know where they are sleeping and with whom.
applejoe Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,251 Points:269,705 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:19:19 AM Ignore applejoe Report Abuse Just another way to tax us.
CaptSquid Champion Author Billings Posts:19,006 Points:1,917,115 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:15:04 AM Ignore CaptSquid Report Abuse They wouldn't have to do this if they spent the money the way it was intended.
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:10,340 Points:1,546,270 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:12:26 AM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse big brother working here
movinon Champion Author Kansas City Posts:15,381 Points:1,505,105 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2009 1:11:39 AM Ignore movinon Report Abuse I'm waiting for big brother to put a clean air tax on breathing.