McCaskill opposes mileage tax

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

McCaskill opposes mileage tax
Associated Press | Posted: Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:19 pm | No Comments Posted

Sen. Claire McCaskill told the Obama administration Thursday she opposes efforts to track drivers' mileage, a stance that could inoculate the Missouri Democrat from GOP attacks as she approaches re-election.

In a letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and provided to The Associated Press, McCaskill wrote that any proposal to tax drivers based on miles they drive will place a burden on already cash-strapped motorists.

"As you know, there is a vital need to improve our nation's roads and related highway infrastructure," McCaskill wrote to LaHood. "However, this is not the right time to raise funds by imposing a vehicle miles traveled tax on people who are already cutting back."

The Obama administration also opposes the tax, said Olivia Alair, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Transportation.



Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/article_8f0871a3-da59-565d-8857-792d3b7e05b7.html

[SheilaT]

1. Basically such a tax already exists.

The more you drive, the more gasoline you need to buy.

I have always preferred small, fuel efficient cars myself, and I have always had jobs relatively close to home. I've always been able to buy the kind of car I prefer, and I've never been in a situation where I've had to make a long commute to work. Not everyone has had such things happen for them.

[christx30]

2. I just got a job

that is 45 minutes each way. Instead of taking my car, I'm going to drive 2 miles to the local park and ride and take the bus. I'll add about an hour to my commute, but that's worth it at $4 a gallon.
Plus, I can read on the way to work! And I can take that savings that I'll have, and the increase in pay, and finally get a cell phone!

[trud]

5. some of us throw up if we try to read on the bus.

Or have to be zonked out on Dramimine to tolerate just riding in one.

[kentauros]

7. Then, what You need to do

is to telecommute! :)

[trud]

10. actually what I need is a job to telecommute to. n/t

[christx30]

8. Oh I hate the bus

It's not comfortable at all. The ride is rough on Austin streets. It takes so long to get anywhere. Strangers fall asleep and lean on you. Homeless people get into fights. In Austin a few months ago, a cop stopped the bus and pulled some guy off, arrested him and nearly beat him for supposedly laughing at him. And you can't even take a soda on there. What's up with that?
Bus travel is no fun at all. But know what is less fun? $4 gas. That sucks.
So... 4 minute car ride to Park and Ride... $30 a month for a pass. Taking book or a Kindle.

[Sherman A1]

3. I am not at all happy with Claire, but on this one I must

agree with her. The gasoline tax is in effect a mileage tax. As cars (hopefully) become more efficient then there will need to be adjustments in that method (which could be shifted to tires or some other concept), but right now I don't support this method.

[makhno]

4. Good for her

Another regressive tax on an overextended populace.

Increase fuel taxes on private aircraft, increase the cost of electricity proportional to the size of one's dwelling divided by the number of occupants, and tax the shit out of luxury goods before you try to fuck over the working class once more.

Oh, and while you're at it, impose the mandatory construction of wind farms on non-agricultural land plots over a certain size.

[florida08]

6. Can't believe this idea came from a democrat

Kent Conrad. Really bad idea when so many are struggling to make ends meet. Talk about being regressive.:crazy:

[Devil_Fish]

9. If they imposed a milage tax, I would disable my odometer, or any kind of tracking device.

My motorcycle is only 700 lbs with me on it. I understand the need to maintain the roads, but taxing baised on miles driven removes the incentive to get fuel efficiant vehicles. My bike gets over 50mpg. I'm straped enough paying for food and housing, and yes, even fuel.

[trud]

11. say, how would they implement this for old cars?

I mean really old, like my original owner 1969 Mustang, which has already cycled through its 5 digit odometer twice, let alone have a way of recording anything.

[Mz Pip]

12. I agree with her

This is really a bad idea.

Commutes around here can be very very long. San Francisco is a very expensive place to live so people move pretty far from the city to be able to afford either owning a house or having sane rent. Taxing someone who has a 100 mile commute round trip when they are already paying gas tax is nuts. These are not rich people.