In response to the April 29 story, "Oberstar pushing to tax motorists for miles traveled," if more money is needed for highways, why not just raise fuel taxes? There are hosts of questions and costs regarding a mileage-based tax that I have yet to see addressed, especially with regard to equipping private vehicles with GPS devices.
Who pays for the installation and maintenance of GPS devices, and at what cost? How is this enforced, and what are the penalties for having a nonworking GPS or for removing the GPS device to circumvent the tax? Does enforcement fall to state and local law enforcement, or would this be a U.S. Department of Revenue enforcement issue? What is the cost to enforce such a tax?
In a perfect world, the technology is here, but devices fai,l and people will try to skirt the law.
So why not just raise fuel taxes at the pump? Would that be unfair to SUV owners who may drive fewer miles than someone with a compact car who drives more miles? What weighs more and causes more wear on the roads? Seems like those might equal out.
So what is the real need for GPS units on private vehicles?
ADVERTISEMENT
Just raise the gas tax instead of creating another billion-dollar government boondoggle.
It will cost citizens either way to pay for another mess.
Jon Winter
Superior
