On Wed, 7 Jan 2009 22:26:59 -0800, "Chuck Olson"
> wrote:

>
>"Tim Howard" > wrote in message
...
>> Oregon looks at taxing mileage instead of gasoline
>> By RYAN KOST, Associated Press Writer Ryan Kost, Associated Press Writer –
>> Sat Jan 3, 7:38 am ET
>>
>>
>>
>> PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon is among a growing number of states exploring ways
>> to tax drivers based on the number of miles they drive instead of how much
>> gas they use, even going so far as to install GPS monitoring devices in
>> 300 vehicles. The idea first emerged nearly 10 years ago as Oregon
>> lawmakers worried that fuel-efficient cars such as gas-electric hybrids
>> could pose a threat to road upkeep, which is paid for largely with
>> gasoline taxes.
>
>How about taxing based on a combination of gasoline per gallon, with a
>multiplier related to the gross vehicle weight, to account for the real
>cause of road deterioration - - tonnage.
>
>Prius driver.
>

Until you reach the level of very large truck there isn't much actual
road damage from simply driving a vehicle on the road. The current
$$$ per Gallon gas tax is probably the fairest tax ever put on a
product. There is no reason to change it other then it needs to be
increased simply to keep up with changes in fuel economy and
inflation.