By KATY GRIMES
Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, has introduced a bill that would require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop a program to assess drivers for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax in California.
Specifically SB1299 would require the DMV to develop and implement, by Jan.1, 2012, a program designed “to assess the issues related to implementing a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee in California.”
In February 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that he wanted to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn. His comments came on the heels of report from a special commission created by Congress which reported that the current 18.4 cents a gallon gas tax and 24.4 cents a gallon diesel tax are not raising enough money to keep pace with transportation costs.
Although the LaHood proposal was struck down, Lowenthal is taking aim at the issue in California. Lowenthal’s measure would lay the groundwork for taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive.
Not taking a hint from the failed federal attempt to tax motorists on miles driven rather than fuel consumed, Lowenthal continues to push his own version of the driving tax.
Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, has introduced a bill that would require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop a program to assess drivers for vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax in California.
Specifically SB1299 would require the DMV to develop and implement, by Jan.1, 2012, a program designed “to assess the issues related to implementing a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee in California.”
In February 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that he wanted to consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive rather than how much gasoline they burn. His comments came on the heels of report from a special commission created by Congress which reported that the current 18.4 cents a gallon gas tax and 24.4 cents a gallon diesel tax are not raising enough money to keep pace with transportation costs.
Although the LaHood proposal was struck down, Lowenthal is taking aim at the issue in California. Lowenthal’s measure would lay the groundwork for taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive.
Not taking a hint from the failed federal attempt to tax motorists on miles driven rather than fuel consumed, Lowenthal continues to push his own version of the driving tax.
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