AutoblogGreen

Gas taxes are regressive and should be reduced anyway.

Further, they are vestiges of public works programs designed to build highway systems. These systems are already built.

Finally, why not add the GPS units to the gas-powered cars and tax them extra for destroying the environment -- as opposed to punishing those who are trying to do the right thing.

Reply

In a way, this kinda makes sense. You use the roads more, you get taxed more. But there is already the gas tax, and the gas tax has a bonus of encouraging drivers to drive more efficient vehicles. The problem is, everyone already thinks that gas is too high. (I say hike it anyway, put pressure on people to find ways to save, and put some of that extra money towards Portland's growing public transportation)

Problem is, as earlier reported, Federal gas tax hasn't risen since 1993, not even with inflation. It stands at 18 cents per gallon. Put it up to 25, that ought to help with the inflation. Then stop pork-barrel spending. And work on a way to get Iraq on its feet so we can withdraw someday soon. You know...cut the fat.

Reply

I think people forget that back in the 80s and 90s there were small non-hybrid cars that got the same forty something mpg that today's hybrids get.

I see EVs as the only problem here, but that can be taken car of when the car is registered with an extra tax.

Reply

Let's be honest here.
Republicans don't want those taxes raised so that they can Privatize those highways and bridges, expecting Kickback Contributions to their Political Campaigns.

Why run government for the good of ALL when you can run it for the good of a FEW and get RE-Elected, while proclaiming you didn't raise taxes. Except, we Will be paying for those More Expensive repairs thru Taxes. Crazy Logic, but there it is.

Reply

A GPS in every car? They already exist. They're called cellphones!

Federal law already requires all cellphones to contain a GPS or equivalent tracking system capable of locating you to within 50 feet. You already carry one!

Reply

Monitoring
Precedes
Control

They get it installed under the guise of just gas tax, then it is used for speeding tickets, criminal investigations & whatever else the orwelliean fascists can think of.

Kill the rich!

Reply

26. Monitoring
Precedes
Control

They get it installed under the guise of just gas tax, then it is used for speeding tickets, criminal investigations & whatever else the orwelliean fascists can think of.

Kill the rich!

Posted at 2:18PM on Nov 22nd 2007 by Notorious Kelly
================================

Yes.

Some people are just so wedded to irresponsibility and guaranteed ease, that they will happily sign their independence away for some "income security". Hence we have Democratic voters.

Reply

The shocking thing is there is such bureaucratic waste at ODOT and lack of any will to pave roads. One half the current two year budget (over $3 billion) is sufficient to re-pave every mile of state run road with pavement thick enough to last 25 years!

Let's look at corruption and impotence in government before finding new ways to bring about the Soviet state in a new continent.

Reply