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Oregon Testing Pay-Per-Mile Driving Fee To Replace Gas Tax
schwit1 tips news that Oregon will become the first U.S. state to test a program to replace their gas tax with a fee for each mile citizens drive on public roads. The 5,000 people voluntarily participating in the test will be charged 1.5 cents per mile. Revenue from gas tax has been on the decline as vehicles get more fuel efficient and as hybrids and electric cars become more popular. This measure is an attempt to raise the amount of money the state takes in to pay for infrastructure projects. Many owners of those hybrid and electric vehicles are upset, saying it specifically targets them and discourages environmentally-friendly transportation. Others point out that those who drive electric vehicles need the roads maintained just as much as people still driving gas-powered cars.
> The odometer can't tell when you've left Oregon.
This law seems to be a good reason to leave Oregon.
[Insert pithy quote here]
how is that unfair? heavier vehicles cause more road damage.
Because puppies and unicorns. It's just NOT FAIR that my $100,000 Tesla should have to pay tax to fund the roads it drives on!
The left encourages us to get Hybrid Cars and increased fuel economy, and then when the tax base falls, they get upset at hybrids and fuel efficient cars and want to raise taxes!
And who could possibly have predicted that?
Except for the impact divot they leave when someone doors them.