This is a way to shift the gas tax from the heavy autos, usually wealthier people, to lighter autos, usually less wealthy people. In addition, when a gas tax hike occurs, then you see it at the pump. With the new system, it would not be nearly so clear. It would be akin to the car tax in Washington State which started out small, e.g. $50 for a new car and say $40 the next year etc., to $500 for a new car and $475 the next year, etc. and finally a tax revolt occurred reducing it to $30. It's back up to about $125 already for my '08 auto.
Similarly, the per-mile mechanism can be used to slip in tax hikes to fund all sorts of re-election promises and boondoggles. And, with the proper population chipping and massive fines for non-compliance, bicycles, pedestrians, baby carriages, and eventually dogs can be outfitted with taxation collars.
It will be a taxing authority utopia. |
