Tammy Bruce
The Washington Times
12/29/2014
Watch out — as the new year approaches the powers-that-be always unleash a new hoard of laws, rules and regulations. Already, we’re seeing another Orwellian idea re-emerge from its musty cave: The notion that drivers should pay an additional tax (they’ll call it a fee) based on how many miles you drive.
Causing a stir as far back as in 2001 when Oregon noticed that more fuel-efficient cars would impact gas tax revenue, politicians began to scramble to figure out how to use your driving as an excuse to take whatever money you have left in your wallet.
At least 18 states are now considering bills to do just this, and Oregon has initiated a pilot program. CBS News reports, “The Oregon pilot programs seeks to demonstrate whether a per-mile tax is a practical possibility. The state is finding 5,000 volunteers to pay 1.5-cents-per-mile tax instead of the 30 cents-per-gallon gas tax. Devices will report their mileage to the state. Other states are trying smaller pilot projects, including Nevada, Washington, Minnesota and California. The U.S. Senate passed a bill calling for a $90 million pilot project involving 10,000 cars. But the House leadership killed the bill after complaints from rural lawmakers that such a tax would unfairly penalize their constituents, who tend to drive farther than city drivers.”
It’s not just fairness that is at issue, it’s also about privacy. I contend this is a double-whammy by the government, which always wants to control two things: your money and your life…
The article continues at The Washington Times.
