White House: Forget The Travel Tax

Cars Transportation White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dismisses the idea of a tax based on how many miles you drive

by Associated Press

Published: Fri, February 20, 2009 - 2:57 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, February 20, 2009 - 3:04 pm CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says you can forget about a
mileage tax.
Press secretary Robert Gibbs made the comments after
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said taxing motorists based on
the number of miles they drive instead of how much gasoline they
buy should be considered.
LaHood told the Associated Press that the gasoline taxes can't
be counted on to keep up with the federal share of highway and
bridge construction costs.
Asked about LaHood's remarks, Gibbs said, "It is not and will
not be the policy of the Obama administration."
A mileage tax has been proposed in a number of states, but has
drawn some angry opposition. A tenative plan in Massachusetts to
use GPS chips in vehicles has drawn complaints from drivers who say
it's an Orwellian intrusion into people's lives. Others say it
eliminates an incentive to drive fuel-efficient cars.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

WKRG.com » News Stream » Consumer

Photo

WKRG.com Related

» Travel Tax Considered

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

carl Says:

Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 8:27 am

HEY! GOOD MORNING DEW,I been trying to keep track of this subject for a little while,on charging the motorist a tax on mileage,which looks to be a step in the right direction if they would drop the state and federal tax on gasoline,But as we all know,the bureaucrats,federal and state,don’t know how to cut back,only how to spend more.We are the only ones expected to cut back while paying more.It’s enough to give you heart burn isn’t it? You and the family stay warm up there in the cold country dew.

DEW26M Says:

Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 8:11 am

“A tenative[sic] plan in Massachusetts to use GPS chips in vehicles has drawn complaints from drivers who say it’s an Orwellian intrusion into people’s lives.”
—
I wonder if they’ve said anything about a tattoo on the back of your hand yet too?

carl Says:

Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 8:08 am

I could live with a mileage tax if they would drop the federal and state gasoline tax!But I don’t believe that’s what they have in mind,I believe they want both.They are wanting to be like the power and natural gas companies and as you cut back on usage they’ll just go up on the rates to make the same or more!Drive less miles and they’ll charge you more,use less power and gas and they charge you more!!Doesn’t make much sense does it?What’s the use in conservation if you drive less and they charge you more.I guess the message is,get out there and enjoy it while we have it!

mburgha256 Says:

Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 5:46 pm

If,and I mean IF the gas tax, and the Diesel tax at what $0.24 or is it $0.25 a gallon was spent on the roads and bridges we would have LOTS of money to rework them. CONGRESS in its infinite wisdom has said that, NO, NO, NO. We NEED a BICYCLE park riding path, Money also spent on HIGH SPEED RAIL. Oh yea, by the way Gas is $0.24 a gallon, Diesel is $0.25 a gallon,The Railroads ONLY have to pay $0.054 note that is only five and a half cents a gallon. Really fair?