Washington’s Transportation Commission voted unanimously this week to ask the Legislature for permission, and funding, to conduct a yearlong test to study a per-mile driving charge using volunteer drivers. Oregon has already carried out two similar tests. California approved its own test in September.
State consultants concluded after a two year long study costing $2 million that “climbing gas-tax proceeds have plateaued and are expected to head downward.” A more “fair, lucrative and dependable source of money” would be to charge drivers “based on miles traveled.”
Though the per-mile costs have yet to be determined, the consultants based their projections on a “1.9 cents-a-mile charge – to raise what the state’s gas tax of 37-1/2 cents per gallon does now.”
The Olympian reports that the state commission would offer drivers four different ways to pay,
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A flat fee to drive unlimited miles over a time period.
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A charge based on an odometer reading.
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A charge based on miles tallied by a reporting device in the vehicle.
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A charge based on miles tallied by an application on a smartphone.
The implementation of a per-mile driving charge would not mean the end of a gas tax. The Olympian,
Even with such a charge fully in place, consultants say drivers would keep paying taxes at the pump, because the state has to pay off money borrowed against gas-tax revenues and so residents of other states don’t drive for free on Washington roads. But the state would subtract drivers’ estimated gas-tax bill from what they owe for miles.
Commercial trucks would not be affected by the per-mile charge. Naturally, the plan would most burden rural communities who face greater travel distances on public roads.
I have one vehicle which my wife and I use almost exclusively for road-trip vacations. We live close to the Oregon border so that when we depart on a trip 3,000 to 10,000 mile road-trip we drive less than 50 total miles on Washington State roads. My drive records over the past 12 years on that vehicle show an annual mileage of about 12,000 per year with over 90% percent of that being on road-trips outside the State of Washington. If my road fee is based on my odometer then I will be over charged. In determining my fair mileage rate will the burden of proof be on the state or on me to establish the miles driven on state roads? I think I already know the answer to that question.
I refuse to pay! I will agree to no such charge! For the people by the people was supposed to mean just that! It’s time we take the power away from our corrupt government that is being bought by corporate America! No more taxing the people until death! My marriage is the only oath I agreed to be “until death do us part” not paying taxes! No more stealing from us! Keep your damn hands out of the peoples pockets!
I guess walking is a good option when you refuse to pay??? But would it not be better to work at getting rid of these people before it gets out of hand???
“fair, lucrative and dependable source of money” would be to charge drivers “based on miles traveled.”
If it’s fair, it’s not lucrative, seriously, the government isn’t there to make a profit.
Umm I believe this falls under “no taxation without representation”…Shall we go through yet another Revolutionary war? History tends to repeat it self….it’s true unfortunately…..people are job less, gas goes up, and they want to charge for every mile that you drive….Umm one word….comes to my mind….F&%$#!!! VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE!!! they do not serve the people…they serve themselves…..
This Democratic tax & spend madness will never stop until the liberals feel their own pain and tax themselves out of the very system they created.
per mile hits the people who commute the worse and would force people to sell homes and move closer to the jobs increasing the pressure on cities to build more housing and infrastructure to support them. Low income people can’t afford the gas tax much less pay a per mile fee. We want these people to work but hitting them harder will only force more low income people onto greater welfair increasing taxes to everyone to pay that bill. Talk about viscous circles???
If they track mileage at registration time, what will they charge those who have vehicles with bad odometers??? Will they charge an average of all drivers due the year, or in a specific area of the state. Will they exempt low income people from paying??? Or will the super rich just use corporate vehicles to drive around and let their customers pay their bill??? Questions, always questions???