Road use fee other than fuel tax

[Jim W]

This is not a political rant but to let you know of pending legislation in California.

According to SEMA this has been sent to Gov. J. Brown. California Bill to Create “Road Usage Fee” Pilot Program Approved by Legislature; Goes to Governor

See full alert below.

http://www.semasan.com/page.asp?content=aa_2014CA4&g=SEMAGA

Jim W.

 

[BarryG]

I have heard it explained to me it is to replace the state and or national fuel tax. If it does that and is equitable to what I currently pay in fuel tax I have no problem with it (though I seriously doubt it will). Though I have seen no hard data on the structure of such a plan is it x cents per mile, different rates for different weight vehicles, different type etc. The fuel tax is supposed to fund road building and repair. Whether it truly is or not I do not know. I do know that I have read reports that the current tax does not cover the cost and that additional funds are being used as well but the federal government right or wrong has not increased the tax since the early 90's. Now If people are driving vehicles that don't use gasoline or diesel and they are using the roads why shouldn't they pay for their upkeep. I don't care if they are driving green vehicles they are still using the roadways. Why should I pay/subsidize for their use of the road whether it is through fuel tax or if it is coming out some other funding mechanism which is going to have to increase as fuel tax revenues fall due to less fuel purchased. They are already allowed a hefty federal and in at least some cases state tax credits when they purchase the vehicle.

 

[Tractorat]

I didnt read the article. But when Ive heard of such a thing before, it involved some kind of tracking device so they can track you miliage (as well as other things). I would rather pay the gas tax.

 

[Teich]

What BarryG says makes alot of sense with all the non fuel burning cars trucks out there using the the road for free just doesn't add up. Just think of the fuel (road) tax a semi will pay compared to a Prieus or any other electric pays or a pedal bike. laurie

 

[Regcabguy]

Get ready for the $0.15/gal increase coming here soon.
There was an article in the Times regarding it recently.
If the bicyclists would just stop running stop signs,they'd generate more support here.

 

[Bob V]

I agree with what others have posted. with ALL vehicles betting better MPG that is lees $$$ for the roads AND bridges. Most bridges where built 50+ years ago and built with a 50 year life span. The part that gets me is the special bicycle lanes that is funded by the gas tax. I would like to see bicycles pay there share too. It really shouldn't be limited to just people who drive, without roads everything would cost a lot more in transportation. If you look at how many miles of roads you will travel in your lifetime, and how much you will end up paying, its not a bad deal.

 

[surfbeetle]

I'm afraid that here in CA the politicians will add the pay per mile tax on top of the already high gas taxes that we already pay. If they switched from the per gallon tax and moved to only per mile tax, I might be better off since I am either driving my Challenger or using my Ram to tow my fifth wheel.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

It won't be long before the green weinie's with their hybrids will start cussing up a storm about paying for miles driven instead of per gallon. Just when they thought they were sticking it to the man 'BOOM'......the man stuck it in them.

 

[BIGNASTY]

The tax could go as high as $. 70 a gallon, Truckers that bring in veggies to the market said if that happens that they aren't going to go to Calif. Before one of you Calif boys said then were are you going to get your veggies? well look around most of them dont come from Calif, the South East and Mid West are just as big a produces and are gearing up for a bigger crop yet , just in-case you haven't noticed YOUR SHORT ON WATER!!! Most of the fruits come from south and central america so with the exemption of Garlic, wetbacks, and avocados what cant we get someplace else.

Sure hope that high speed rail goes thru the builders AREN'T EVEN AMERICAN COMPANIES!!!

 

[Missouri Mule]

Actually Big garlic is imported from china and recently I bought some out of Spain (haven't tasted it yet) California garlic growers think theirs has gold in it. Hass avocados are grown in Mexico almost year round and Chile grows them also (California seems to have growing problems every season). Florida grows Avocados but not the Mexican Family ones (which the Hass avocado is part of).

I am for taxing the hybrids and electric by the mileage but I buy enough diesel to pay for my use of the roads.

The truckers charge a lot to haul produce fro California to Florida and with the drought they are having it adds to the cost of produce. But even though it cost 2 to 3 times as much as it used to before the drought. The Farmers are getting the water some where because the romaine and celery look good, but the Iceberg is a little lite.