Georgian Opinion : Oregon GPS tracking/miles traveled tax is “remarkably stupid”

Why abandon the gasoline tax?

The state of Oregon is toying with the remarkably stupid idea of trying to tax people for transportation based on how many miles they drive. The idea is to use that new tax revenue to replace the traditional per-gallon gasoline tax, which taxes people based on how much gasoline they consume.

“A state task force will look at equipping every new vehicle in the state with a Global Positioning System tracking device to quietly record every mile driven and where…. The plan still requires legislative endorsement, and the full details could take several more years to work out, but state analysts said the governor’s endorsement is a crucial step on a road many states are beginning to travel —- ending dependence on the gasoline tax.

‘This is a way to try to develop a fair funding mechanism that we’re going to have to have if we’re going to be aggressive in terms of looking at electric cars and hybrids and plug-ins and all those options, and at the same time continue to invest in our roads and infrastructure,’ said Rem Nivens, the governor’s deputy communications director.”