wildblue 7 #1 February 15, 2005 This came up a few months ago.... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1291106 It's still being talked about, and now people at Oregon State are actually working on making it happen. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/14/eveningnews/main674120.shtmlit's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 February 15, 2005 What really sucks is the talk of a GPS system to send back data to track milage. I'm not a fan of any sort of tracking system employed by the government in our personal lives.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crozby 0 #3 February 15, 2005 QuoteWhat really sucks is the talk of a GPS system to send back data to track milage. I can't see that working - GPS is just too easy to block. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #4 February 15, 2005 I think we should view this the way we did articles propsing taxing emails. It's not quite Snopes material, but the proposal is dead on arrival. No one is going to go for it, and it makes no sense to tax on usage, or to be upset that people are getting 50mpg cars and paying less in gas taxes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #5 February 15, 2005 But they are upset - they're looking for ways to make up the gas-tax loss. But seriously, a GPS tracking system? I don't think it'd ever fly, and seems like it'd be pretty easy to defeat.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScubaSteve 0 #6 February 15, 2005 From article The system could also track how often you drive during rush hour and charge higher fees to discourage peak use. That's an idea that could break the bottleneck on California's freeways. Because we know most of the people drive during rush hour for fun right? It sjust another tax that would hurt the poor and middle class the most. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 February 15, 2005 QuoteIt just another tax that would hurt the poor and middle class the most. Except for the REALLY poor who don't have cars, but maybe if the government gives them cars, then they can turn around and tax them for using them. How am I doing? Am I sensitive yet? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #8 February 15, 2005 QuoteBut they are upset - they're looking for ways to make up the gas-tax loss. This has been floated in California - there is no gas tax loss here. In addition to the 18cents per gallon, sales tax of ~8.5% is charged, and with the higher prices of late, it's a gain on gas taxes - perhaps an extra nickel a gallon or better. The GPS big brother notion fails the KISS principle - the cost of implementing and running such a revenue system would exceed any reasonable intake. Far easier to just have the SMOG checker report the mileage on the biannual inspection, if you really want to do a mileage bill. As for peak traffic tolls, that's already in effect on the SoCal toll roads with variable pricing on the 215/15? and 91. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craddock 0 #9 February 15, 2005 QuoteFar easier to just have the SMOG checker report the mileage on the biannual inspection, if you really want to do a mileage bill. Huh? So you would pay taxes on California roads regardless of where the miles accumulated at? How do we come up with ideas like this? That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #10 February 15, 2005 QuoteHow do we come up with ideas like this? Fiscal irresponsibility + desparation == Ideas like this - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #11 February 15, 2005 Quote QuoteFar easier to just have the SMOG checker report the mileage on the biannual inspection, if you really want to do a mileage bill. Huh? So you would pay taxes on California roads regardless of where the miles accumulated at? How do we come up with ideas like this? It's a dumb idea, but if it's gonna happen, much easier to implement that way then by strapping a reporting device onto every car. But we all know it's going nowhere - your reason is just one of many. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,078 #12 February 16, 2005 >I can't see that working - GPS is just too easy to block. It's already done on trucks. The technology to do a 'flight recorder' is here, and nowadays most cars record things like speed, acceleration, throttle position etc for at least the last 15 seconds or so for engine control and transmission purposes. Pretty soon all cars will record basic data over a longer timeframe that can be used to figure out what happened in accidents. Within 5 years about half the cars on the road will have a GPS as well, so the technology is there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meridianjumper 0 #13 February 16, 2005 Yeah, GM is already using the recorders in some of their model cars. Blue Skies, Jeremy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D22369 0 #14 February 16, 2005 Of course Oregon would try it.... this state is extremely desperate for money, they have a rediculous amount of waste, and they waste the money on stupid shit, like reallocating funds to dog parks and walking trails...... sounds great untill your road falls apart and you have to dodge big potholes because they cannot afford to pay to fill them Thank GOD I am leaving this state in less than two weeks!!! *nice place to visit, ya dont want to live here...... RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #15 February 16, 2005 So much for the constituion._______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #16 February 16, 2005 They are pissed because they collect less money on hybrids and other improved gas mileage vehicles. It's really very simple, just add a big yearly tax for people that own those kinds of car. They caused the shortfall in the first place, let them pay for it. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #17 February 16, 2005 Yep and don't forget that fine light rail system in Portland that carried a whopping 3% of commuters there. And the portion of the excessive Oregon income tax that residents statewide pay to Tim Met. Hmmmmm......I'm still waiting for the rest of my 2001 "kicker". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #18 February 16, 2005 QuoteWhat really sucks is the talk of a GPS system to send back data to track milage. And as an added bonus, they could also issue automatic speeding tickets based upon the GPS data... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #19 February 16, 2005 QuoteAnd as an added bonus, they could also issue automatic speeding tickets based upon the GPS data... They could technically already do that in many major cities with electronic toll roads. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #20 February 17, 2005 QuoteQuoteAnd as an added bonus, they could also issue automatic speeding tickets based upon the GPS data... They could technically already do that in many major cities with electronic toll roads. Yep. I've heard that rental car companies have some fine print in their contracts, and will add a surcharge if you've grossly exceeded speed limits, which they find out about from GPS units in the vehicles. Billed after-the-fact to your credit card. This was even done in an old-fashioned way on the Florida Turnpike a few decades ago. When you entered through a toll gate, you were handed a computer punch card indicating the time you entered at that location. Then when you exited, you handed the computer card to the toll attendent, who computed your toll fee based upon the distance you traveled, from entrance to exit. Then the police got a bright idea. They parked right behind the exit toll booth, and demanded to see your computer card. Based upon the distance and time shown on the card, and your current location, they could calculate your average speed over that distance. If it was over the speed limit, they would write you a ticket. So then the counter-tactic was this: If you had been speeding on the turnpike, and saw a police car up ahead at the exit toll booth, you pulled over the side of the road and waited 10 minutes or so, to add time to your trip, so the calculation would come out in your favor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freethefly 6 #21 February 17, 2005 Hit BIG OIL with more tax on their deep pockets. The oil industry reaps huge profits and returns very little to the very people it serves, except higher gas prices. Maybe we all should ride horses. Hell, they'll just shove a gps up it's ass."...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #22 February 17, 2005 QuoteHit BIG OIL with more tax on their deep pockets. The oil industry reaps huge profits and returns very little to the very people it serves, except higher gas prices. Um, what do you think happens if you increase their business taxes? They pass the cost along and recover it in higher gas prices. Thus, the only person you would be hurting is yourself. And everyone else that buys gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #23 February 18, 2005 QuoteQuoteHit BIG OIL with more tax on their deep pockets. The oil industry reaps huge profits and returns very little to the very people it serves, except higher gas prices. Um, what do you think happens if you increase their business taxes? They pass the cost along and recover it in higher gas prices. Thus, the only person you would be hurting is yourself. And everyone else that buys gas... Not necessarily. Gas pricing isn't so much about costs as what they can get from us. Like the electric companies, there's been some profiteering lately. While that's well and good for non essential goods, should basic needs be treated the same? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
