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Washington considers by-the-mile road fee system to replace gas tax

Oregon Live -- Facing steep declines in gas-tax revenues that pay for road repairs, Washington state is exploring a creative solution: charging drivers by the mile to use state highways and roads.

A committee of transportation experts recently concluded it's feasible to move the state away from gasoline taxes to a "pay as you go" road fee system for transportation.

Further steep declines are expected when fuel-efficiency standards passed last year by the Obama administration take effect, requiring automakers to nearly double the average gas mileage of all new cars and trucks by 2025.

"The gas tax is dwindling," Hammond said. "It would be irresponsible for us not to look ahead and take care of our system in the future."

Between 2007 and 2023, fuel tax revenues are projected to fall by more than $5 bi

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Submitted Jan 10, 2013 By: bar1035

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teenitup Champion Author Houston Posts:1,670 Points:251,135 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 2:04:52 PM Ignore teenitup Report Abuse Unfortunately that won't happen Jeff4U. We never get one tax repealed in place of another, just added on. Tax dollars collected in say Wyoming just end up lining the pockets of mass transit in the big cities back east.
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,767 Points:1,854,320 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 8:49:18 AM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse As long as both fed and state taxes are removed at the gas pump....
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,561 Points:749,995 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 7:29:12 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse I understand why, but many details need to be worked out. Biggest is if they put a per mile tax in place, the gas tax must go away completely. Also, larger vehicles need to pay more. A 5000 lb truck does more damage to roadways than a 600 lb motorcycle. What if you drive out of state a lot? Why do I have to pay tax on miles not driven in the state while still paying fuel tax in another state. I do find it ironic that the feds are mandating increased MPG and states are feeling a crunch from it.
jeffbone Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,366 Points:401,810 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 7:14:04 AM Ignore jeffbone Report Abuse As long as you left coasters keep that crap there...
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:329,335 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2013 1:35:11 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse Big Brother is coming. How ridiculous.
tankumo Veteran Author Vancouver Posts:399 Points:70,050 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 8:09:27 PM Ignore tankumo Report Abuse How about reducing their salary and benefits, the lawmakers make so much money. This way we can tax citizen less.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,088 Points:799,100 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 7:17:49 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse We need to say no to this. It will start and spread to every state. You will be tracked full time and you will not own the data. [Edited by: ExplorerWA at 1/10/2013 8:18:27 PM EST]
slowtrain Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,672 Points:949,875 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 4:50:56 PM Ignore slowtrain Report Abuse NO!
RAE344 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:3,075 Points:663,470 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 4:14:04 PM Ignore RAE344 Report Abuse Really bad idea, everybody wearing tracking devices on their body so they can pay their per mile taxes. Another choice is what is proposed in Virgina, get rid of the gas tax and replace it with a small increase in the state sales tax. Better then having to wear a traking device all day.
pliskin Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,090 Points:1,733,830 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 4:11:16 PM Ignore pliskin Report Abuse Let's see Oregon, Washington, who's next?
Isea11 Champion Author New York Posts:1,026 Points:389,880 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 4:01:41 PM Ignore Isea11 Report Abuse I believe that this is the third or fourth time the article has been posted.
TheThorn All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:827 Points:786,125 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 4:00:29 PM Ignore TheThorn Report Abuse i repeat, let's just all move to DC and go on the dole. that would save the highways and everything except they would have to spray down the highways occasionally with some of the left over agent orange to keep down the weeds.
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:8,633 Points:1,915,935 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:52:38 PM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse Steep declines? C'mon, get real. If most states actually had realistic gas taxes, they would not necessarily be in the state of affairs that they are in. I do realize that with less people driving and more fuel efficient vehicles out there; there is less gas tax revenue being collected. But this could offer a means to address the issue of vehicles that cause the same where and tear to the road system, all the while consuming less fuel or none at all (hybrids and EVs).
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,782 Points:724,225 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:50:52 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse ok
snarkysmarko Champion Author Baltimore Posts:3,073 Points:690,000 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:48:50 PM Ignore snarkysmarko Report Abuse please don't
DancingDee Champion Author Gary Posts:4,384 Points:1,056,765 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:45:21 PM Ignore DancingDee Report Abuse NO, NO, AND AGAIN NO!!!!
MotoDad Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,106 Points:812,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:45:20 PM Ignore MotoDad Report Abuse Flat tax shared by all.
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,465 Points:1,392,730 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:45:14 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse BobbyVA spews his usual stock political diatribe! The article pertains to Washington STATE! It has nothing at all to do with the President. Oh, and the only thing worse than tax and spend Democrats are spend and spend and increase the deficit RepubliTWITS! Remember the Bush administration?
kacansas All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:770 Points:233,285 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:45:05 PM Ignore kacansas Report Abuse Sounds like an impossible system. Why not just make I-5 a toll road plus any other controlled access multi lane highway. If they do this how are they going to know where you drive except by GPS. Equipping cars with GPS would cost 10's of millions and how do they pay for that??
greentre All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:803 Points:277,565 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:43:53 PM Ignore greentre Report Abuse Why don't they just call it what it is? Toll road!
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,113 Points:1,610,595 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:42:49 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse Not a good idea.
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,814 Points:2,164,710 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:41:33 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse Could happen.
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,123 Points:642,135 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:41:01 PM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse So they propose to convert freeways into turnpikes. This is not new thinking; it is very old thinking.
fedupMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,964 Points:575,405 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:37:00 PM Ignore fedupMN Report Abuse Blah, blah, blah... never happen
johton Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,225 Points:314,115 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:36:31 PM Ignore johton Report Abuse This state will do anything it can to get money from the citizens. Of course that's what they must want, because they keep voting them in.
katmandue Champion Author Detroit Posts:8,081 Points:2,136,070 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:34:30 PM Ignore katmandue Report Abuse sounds good got to pay for the roads some way
bearzz Champion Author California Posts:1,442 Points:420,870 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:31:41 PM Ignore bearzz Report Abuse Gas tax is dwindling and it could be due to the cost of gasoline . . . duh. People didn't use to consider making those extra runs to the store, etc. I definitely try to combine my trips as much as possible (due to cost of gasoline). By the mileage, a better deal for low mileage drivers like me . . . I'd be curious about the math.
mrmike75 Veteran Author Las Vegas Posts:491 Points:62,570 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:28:12 PM Ignore mrmike75 Report Abuse the poor trucking companies will bear the brunt of that fluke idea. then all of the high fees they pay will be passed onto consumers through higher prices on goods. it will never end...
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,950 Points:1,758,210 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:25:36 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse Go for it. Out of staters won't pay anything.
BobbyVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:5,519 Points:1,178,475 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:25:15 PM Ignore BobbyVA Report Abuse Liberal Progressive TAX & SPEND Dems are ruining this country!!!!!!!!! Seems they only tax the middle class which is directly contrary to what Obuma sezs.
gaspumpin Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,677 Points:390,370 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:25:11 PM Ignore gaspumpin Report Abuse This is nuts---if they want us too save gas, of course they will get less taxes! They can't have it both ways.
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:6,703 Points:1,694,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:20:35 PM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse Left coast loons.
sivart Champion Author Arkansas Posts:18,238 Points:3,072,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:18:30 PM Ignore sivart Report Abuse From a state that uses taxes to help finance the ferries and a lot of taxpayers never see a ferry! The frequent users who buy passes get them at a big discount! I believe it it cost $25.00 to ride then that should be what the price is for every-one!
mycar2 Champion Author Akron Posts:2,115 Points:2,359,840 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:17:47 PM Ignore mycar2 Report Abuse problem is they won't let that tax money go away, someone will want it, it will just add up
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,270 Points:985,035 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:16:52 PM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Just stay home.
The_DR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,793 Points:586,975 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:15:00 PM Ignore The_DR Report Abuse Is anything for free anymore?
stevencr Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,666 Points:1,436,715 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:14:31 PM Ignore stevencr Report Abuse This is being discussed in every state. It is going to e difficult it impliment.
Mariuxus Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,770 Points:1,873,015 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:13:56 PM Ignore Mariuxus Report Abuse nothing new...
7SPEEDY7 Champion Author Flint Posts:1,301 Points:607,625 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:13:04 PM Ignore 7SPEEDY7 Report Abuse OK
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:8,077 Points:1,486,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:13:01 PM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Sounds good but if Washington runs it it won't be good.
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,844 Points:867,360 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:06:56 PM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse as soon as people go with alternative fuel, start charging road tax. there will be no savings so why bother buying electric
USMC_0411 Veteran Author California Posts:363 Points:352,715 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:04:58 PM Ignore USMC_0411 Report Abuse Wow
doggod Champion Author Anchorage Posts:2,858 Points:743,310 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:03:11 PM Ignore doggod Report Abuse In other words, turn all the roads into toll roads, which leads to the question: why not just sell the roads, use the proceeds to fund capital expenditures in other areas, and let businesses compete for road users by charging the lowest fees possible and making the roads the best they can be. For those of you who who were taught in government schools, that's the benefit of competition versus monopoly. The State is the extreme version of a monopoly ... one empowered to kill you if you don't obey. So it's no surprise there is constant dissatisfaction with the roads they own and operate; they have little incentive to do anything better or more efficiently. If they run out of money they can just hold a gun to your head and reach deeper into your pockets.
OOXXFF Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,073 Points:1,081,355 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:01:36 PM Ignore OOXXFF Report Abuse This sounds like it may be a bookkeeping nightmare.
bluetruck54 Champion Author Quad Cities Posts:1,482 Points:444,735 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:01:12 PM Ignore bluetruck54 Report Abuse based on a "panel of experts"......there is the first mistake and we know what's going to happen in 2023?????? I struggle with this notion that "fuel ecomony and less miles driven" is the REAL reason for this massive loss of revenue. think maybe the funds are being directed to "non-transportation" items??????
jay93LA Champion Author New Orleans Posts:2,459 Points:601,660 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 3:00:44 PM Ignore jay93LA Report Abuse old
ScottTee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,396 Points:1,064,570 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 2:58:53 PM Ignore ScottTee Report Abuse screw the by the mile plan, that would suck!
Royski All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:899 Points:183,750 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 2:58:29 PM Ignore Royski Report Abuse As long as it's self-reported.
Jangoo2 Sophomore Author Akron Posts:113 Points:131,785 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 2:54:26 PM Ignore Jangoo2 Report Abuse There's too many 'What if ... " scenarios to really comment on right now. I'll wait until someone comes up with solid proposal on how to implement this before I shoot it full of holes.
Martillo Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,609 Points:732,085 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2013 2:54:11 PM Ignore Martillo Report Abuse ok