Tax by the Mile

[dreamaker]

I seen on Detroit TV2 News Dem. Senator, is proposing taxing by the mile on vehicles, starting to tap into the black box in cars. I think they are starting a pilot program in Oklahoma soon. Because they need money to repair the roads. I have a question: Where is the money that has been allotted for road repair. Also they mentioned another gas tax hike for road repair. Now originally here in Mich. I thought our present gas tax was for road repair, but they tell me it is for educations. To my knowledge the profit from Mich. lottery and gas tax goes to education and yet they are still closing schools due to lack of funds. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK!!!!

[Momz]

This is not a bill yet, but it has been a proposal in the transportation committee for quite some time now.
The proposal is supported by all the republicans on the transportation committee.

ABATE of MI was made aware of this proposal the day it was introduced. Yet MI riders are like fine Americans thinking that will never happen.

The AMA, MRF, and ABATE have been warning about the "black boxes" and who really owns them. In MI he vehicle owner does not have legal possession of those "data recorders". The insurer has legal right to the "black boxes".

[alph]

isn't that the reason why we pay 55 cents tax per gallon of gas?  here in eau Claire the "wheel tax" gets mentioned every year.  it would be an additional $10 per vehicle per year for any registered vehicle you own.  for me that would mean an additional $90.

[Momz]

Either I'd be buying a car that did not have the box or making one that did.  If it were to the point of them "forcing" me to do it I might start looking for a new state to live in.

If you own any car or motorcycle that has F.I., it will have a "data recorder".
Valkyries are "Black Box" free.

Another MI bill to increase road use taxes would raise license plate fees to 8 1/2 - 9% of the vehicle MSRP.
Just think about this,....a 20K F6B would pay $170 to $180 per year in plate fees.
ABATE is fighting this bill tooth and nail.

[dreamaker]

Either I'd be buying a car that did not have the box or making one that did.  If it were to the point of them "forcing" me to do it I might start looking for a new state to live in.

Looking for a new state?? are you kidding?? That will be like trying to run away from your shadow.

Also speaking about black boxes, now think about it!!!!! Progressive Ins. has all ready got the band wagon going. Now think, their snap shot, right!! they are tapping to your info.  Awhile back about 6 months ago on the news they were talking about Insurances companies would tie into to your car via Sync, OnStar and so on. Do you think this is something new and just popped in their heads Think Again!! This was anticipated and they watch you where you have been going. You think because you haven't activated these systems in a car they are not tracking you. If they can turn on a web cam on your computer or your TV without you knowing it, they can surely activate your car system.  Truth is technology is biting us in the a$$. OOps!!!

[Patrick]

Either I'd be buying a car that did not have the box or making one that did.  If it were to the point of them "forcing" me to do it I might start looking for a new state to live in.

I don't how old a car you want, but, they have all had them for quite some time.

[Patrick]

If all our tax money went where it was first intended to go, there shouldn't be problem. The fuel tax for infrastructure was raided years ago for more social programs. I can't think of a single tax fund that hasn't been raided and stolen for something else.

[old2soon]

Don't recollect the exact timeline involved but most of the trucking companies I drove for if the rig is stolen they can reach out from their office and shut it down. When you go to a terminal or a dealership the first thing they do is plug into the data and retrieve it. Terminal wants to know if you have been speeding and dealership wants to know the parameters for ANY warranty claim; Big brother HAS been watching for awhile now. RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

I STRONGLY disagree with this idea, however, here's the problem:

Fuel economy of vehicles has been going up. Quite a bit. AND with the economic downturn people are driving less, less business being conducted, less driving to work, less money for pleasure trips, etc.

The money to build/maintain/repair roadways theoretically comes from the taxes on gasoline.

People driving less, vehicles that are being used are using less fuel per mile, so the amount of money being collected is dropping. And even if things turn around economically and people and businesses start driving more, the tax collected per mile driven is still down and will continue to go down and fuel economy (Or electric vehicles that use no gasoline and thus pay no gas tax at all) are used more and more.

[bvergeer]

I don't how old a car you want, but, they have all had them for quite some time.

As far as cars go, if it has airbags it has a recorder. The older ones only retained the last 15 seconds or so, not sure about the newer stuff. I do know that the airbag recorder has been used successfully in court cases.

While Michigan may be getting on the band wagen, I believe Washington state was the first to begin experimenting with tax by mile back in 2008 with funding from the feds.

I find it ironic that many states that are considering it blame the need on the fact that cars are becoming more fuel efficient (federally mandated).

I can't imagine tax by the mile being very effective on a state by state basis. If it is ever implemented, at some point it will have to be federally or centrally managed.

[john]

                   " If all our tax money went where it was first intended to go, there shouldn't be problem. The fuel tax for infrastructure was raided years ago for more social programs. I can't think of a single tax fund that hasn't been raided and stolen for something else "

                            exactly right     

[dreamaker]

You have to look at the BIG PICTURE, this effects everyone whether you drive or not. I'm not just talking about driving from point A to B this will effect everything. Food, produce, mail, packages, getting a penny here and dollar there, we are going to pay.