MDOT (read: Whitmer) wants to fuck over Michigan tax payers

[MWmetalhead]

Road usage charges in lieu of gasoline taxes are a terrible, terrible idea yet Whitmer's administration - and MDOT - seem to be actively advocating for such a policy change.

This is a hidden tax increase on Michigan residents.

Out of state residents and commercial motorists would get off scot-free. Michigan residents would be subsidizing their use of our roadways.

To make matters worse - Michigan residents would either be mandated to use a smartphone app or tracking device (similar to those used by insurance companies for their phony "safe driver" programs) in all vehicles. That is a massive invasion of privacy and potential data security risk.

Would these devices track out of state miles the same as in state miles? Who the hell knows.

This state cannot even figure out how to disburse unemployment checks properly. To allow the state to keep tabs on the driving habits of every single Michigan resident is a massive disaster in the making.

Finally, just like auto insurance, ya know damn well some people would refuse to pay what they owe under a road usage tax system. With the current sales tax system - no such risk exists.

This is arguably the worst policy proposal I've seen from state government in my lifetime.

I vehemently oppose replacing the gas tax with road usage charges. It is obvious this proposal is the brainchild of the Whitmer administration. The survey is being conducted via MDOT - mostly seen as apolitical - to try to disguise that fact.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/sh ... ge-charge/

[Deleted User 16173]

I just love how they reel us in by the $10 gift card for participating in their survey.

[MWmetalhead]

I gladly completed the survey. I used every opportunity in the survey form to communicate why I thought it was a terrible idea.

I will also be writing to multiple legislators on this topic.

[zzand]

Several states are looking into this due to EVs not using gas and the loss of those tax dollars. My thought has always been do a tax on EV owners when registering their vehicles every year and let the gas tax stand for those of us that still use dead dinos to power our vehicles.

[MWmetalhead]

Exactly. Taxation of revenues collected at charging stations could also be used to supplement registration fees.

[Graham Wellington]

I took the survey as well. It was certainly crafted in a way to elicit positive responses for the per mile option.

[MWmetalhead]

I agree 100 percent.

[Deleted User 16173]

I did the survey as well. We will see how Gretchen screws us this time.

[km1125]

Several states are looking into this due to EVs not using gas and the loss of those tax dollars. My thought has always been do a tax on EV owners when registering their vehicles every year and let the gas tax stand for those of us that still use dead dinos to power our vehicles.

Some state do this but they do NOT collect the federal portion, so the states still get shafted on their funding, and the EV owner gets an additional benefit.

The "per mile" idea has been around for decades. There was a time when they were developing an add-on to track the miles and you'd have to "refill" it periodically in order to drive. Obviously never implemented, but it gets easier as more and more vehicles are "connected" and the authorities (whether private or government) have the ability to track and control where your vehicle is and what your vehicle does (or can do).

[Round Six]

Just a random thought based on MW's originating post. Get a second cell and leave it at home. What would be the mileage cost now?

[radiofann]

I don’t have an EV but know someone who does and their registration for plates is considerably higher than a gasoline powered car, I guess under the understanding that EVs don’t pay gasoline taxes.

The govt doesn’t need to have you tracked on an app on cellphone, they can just get the data from Ford or gm or auto OEMs, or from your car insurance company like Allstate where you have the plug in device for your discount.

Kind of likes when the state knows you bought a new car, they sold your info to telemarketers and you get all kinds of unsolicited phone calls for extended warranties.

[lidoshuffle]

This surprises anyone about her taxing the citizens of Michigan?

Remember when she was elected in 2018....first thing she wanted to do in office was raise the gas tax .45cents/gallon!

[Mega Hertz]

I don't mind paying my share of living in a collective society. What I do have a problem with is wasting it, and then finding another reason to ask for more. And that's the part that never ends.

I look at certain services and say to myself "you know, sometimes I can understand why people hate the government".

Like last night, when I came home and had to shovel out the 10 inches of snow the plow just pushes up on the driveway and takes off.

[MWmetalhead]

Just a random thought based on MW's originating post. Get a second cell and leave it at home. What would be the mileage cost now?

I agree completely that the risk of fraud would be enormous absent in-person secretary of state office confirmation of odometer readings.

Annual plate renewals through the mail or online would probably need to be discontinued. Yet another reason to oppose this idiotic proposal.

[TC Talks]

Well, gas tax isn't working well enough, and the issue is out of state trucks not EV. Don't be surprised if the Manufacturers association endorses this.