Its only a matter of time for those lucky California drivers.

[TexasDave]

BUENA PARK (CBSLA.com) — The California Legislature is looking at a voluntary program that would tax motorists for every mile they drive.

KCAL9's Bobby Kaple reports that Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, introduced a bill to test out the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax because the state's gas tax was no longer bringing in the revenue it used to due to people driving more fuel efficient vehicles.

The program is modeled after ones in Oregon and Washington.

"We want to do as Washington and Oregon have done in a much bigger state with much longer commutes...to make sure that we find out whether it would work, whether the public would like it or not," DeSaulnier said.

It's unknown how much the tax would be, but Oregon currently charges its volunteers 1.5 cents per mile.

"All of those things would be determined. We would let the agency determine that because this would be a voluntary program," DeSaulnier said.

Southland commuters were not thrilled about the idea of a VMT tax.

"I bought a hybrid...one, because of my drive. I'm very opposed. I drive to Brentwood every day from Burbank, and I am already paying more than I should be," Carmen Smith said.

"So if we go on vacation and I drive up to Mammoth, that's 600 miles. We're being taxed on vacations?" Kim Robinson said. Plus they already have some of the highest gas prices in the USA .  Dave

[Country Joe]

 

[red]

So, the electric cars get taxed once, and the gas cars get taxed twice?
Anybody wanna bet that those states will abolish the gas tax, when they add in the tax-per-mile plan?  Not likely !!     

Cheers,
Red

[Joe Sull]

And they say there's no gold left in california. Ha!

[craigo]

I wish, but wife still not good with her broken femur. 
She's just now beginning to use the walker and out of the wheelchair. 

CraigO

[TexasDave]

Unfortunately I think vehicle miles traveled tax will become mandatory for CA in the near future. It was no coincidence this bill was introduced to the CA legislature. Earlier in the week the GOP in Washington planned a huge cut in the federal transportation grant program that funds road and bridge projects in the 2015 budget year. It is an 83% cut from current levels. If you think CA is hurting for highway funds now just wait untill next year.  Dave

[Pat Conlon]

So how does this work?

Currently we get taxed at the gas pump...(and every year for registration)

Do the "volunteers" pay a different rate for gas? (less the fuel tax) if so, sounds burdensome for the vendor.
Or will they pay the full price (all year) and get reimbursed at the end of the year?



Will Kalif install black magic boxes on your car which tracks and reports your mileage? (That will be popular)

[Vsekvsek]

Newsflash: Californias middle class leaving in droves. Californias lawmakers mystified why

[TexasDave]

How does it work? Just like every other government tax program---bend over! I think this "voluntary" thing is just to get Californians used to the idea. I think it will be mandatory very shortly.  Dave

[andyb]

Once again, Californians leading the nation in letting their politicians form a police state.  Oh goody!

[TexasDave]

California has to come up with the highway funds for building and repairing. I think the politicians looked at OR and WA and decided we could do this also. Texas does it in a sneaky way. The politians here appropriate our gas tax money for other uses and then tell the public they don't have enough money for roads and we need more toll roads. At least CA is more honest about it.  Dave

[Capn Ron]

So how does this work?

Currently we get taxed at the gas pump...(and every year for registration)

Do the "volunteers" pay a different rate for gas? (less the fuel tax) if so, sounds burdensome for the vendor.
Or will they pay the full price (all year) and get reimbursed at the end of the year?

Will Kalif install black magic boxes on your car which tracks and reports your mileage? (That will be popular)

There are currently 5000 "volunteers" in Oregon's VMT tax scheme.  Apparently, they get a rebate at the end of the year...not really sure how that is scaled.  They allowed 1,500 of the volunteers to be vehicles that got 17MPG or less per gallon.  I'm sure those sign ups went in the first ten minutes...Likely put in place to show how "popular" this new idea is!  Obviously, the collection of a new tax will have a cost overhead...Salaries, marketing, some oversight panel, collection processing, device installation, defending privacy lawsuits...Add in the rebate amounts and the VMT tax collected will have to make up the vast costs involved before any net tax is even realized!  Someone who bought a 75MPG car (me) 8 years ago will be getting screwed by this program compared to someone driving a 6000 pound Suburban.

You mentioned registration fees as well.  Mine have all more than doubled since owning most of my cars...  New York State is just behind California as the two highest fuel tax states in the country, but at least they base their registration fees on the WEIGHT of the vehicle...that should take into account the wear and tear you put on the highways.  My commuter car only weighs 1850 pounds.  If I put less wear and tear on the highways, I should be taxed less (Hey, I can dream right?)  

Oregon states that getting past the privacy concerns of the ACLU was a simple meeting with a few questions when asked about the tracking of people and mileage and location (What if I drive out of my state?).  A GPS tracking device isn't mandatory (yet), but the "volunteers" can choose from a number of commercially available devices or self report (for now).

We're all the proverbial frogs in the frying pan...  

Cap'n Ron. . .

[craigo]

Newsflash: Californias middle class leaving in droves. Californias lawmakers mystified why

The Torrance Toyota facility is moving to Texas next year. I wonder why?

[novaraptor]

Incrementalism at it's finest... First volunteers, then only certain classes of vehicles, then only during peak seasons for all, then.. well, you know..

[rusjel]

I'm getting charged an additional 300 bucks per year " heavy vehicle tax" for my Landcruiser in NSW, Oz, which works out to an additional 30 odd cents/ mile over and above the taxes the government pulls out at the pump for the miles I do each year.

They don't miss the bike either, 700 bucks compulsory third party insurance because riders are 'vulnerable road users'. Still waiting for someone from the government to explain to me why they've collected about 8 billion more then they've paid out in claims in the last ten year but still want to up the premiums.

I've considered joining an organised crime gang but have concluded that the only way to really get ahead of the system is to become a politician.