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State transportation officials are considering charging drivers by the mile to make up for ever dwindling gas tax revenues. (AP image)

Are you willing to pay by the mile?

BY Josh Kerns  on December 5, 2012 @ 10:52 am (Updated: 11:27 am - 12/5/12 )

Every time you fill up, you're paying the 9th highest gas tax in the country, but Washington State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond says the state's tank is running on empty.

"Since about 2007, those of us who watch our transportation revenues and what's happening on the highways and byways recognize that gas tax isn't keeping up," Hammond says in an interview with KIRO Radio's Ross and Burbank.

So the state is considering a controversial new way to pay for the roads: charging drivers by the mile.

An advisory committee has just issued a report finding a mileage tax, commonly called a 'road user charge,' is a "feasible" way to wean the state off ever dwindling gas taxes. Hammond says it could even replace gas taxes altogether.

It's a tough sell. Although widely used in Europe, the idea has met plenty of opposition when it's been talked about in the past. So Hammond says the first step is taking the pulse of the people.

"We're going to start engaging with the public and try and understand what people think about the risks, the opportunities, and some of those things," she says.

Transportation officials will ask the Legislature for about $3.5 million in the coming session to study whether it's worth pursuing.

The report says implementing the idea is fairly easy. A number of devices already exist to track mileage, from in-car GPS units and smartphone apps to sensors that detect engine run time.

Critics have complained about the notion of the government tracking their every move. But Hammond says most of us are already monitored constantly by our phone companies anyway. And there are a number of easy ways to protect people's privacy.

"We know it's feasible, the technology is there. But is it desirable?" Hammond says.

Drivers don't have to worry about it happening any time soon. Hammond says it would take five to ten years to implement, and the idea could get scrapped altogether if there's too much opposition.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (85)


  • Add A Comment

  • deltta wrote...
    Over my dead body
    December 5, 2012 10:43 am
    ...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    As long as the DOT runs the program . . . .
    December 5, 2012 10:44 am
    look at the fine job they are doing on the 520 tolling.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lynx wrote...
    Another Poor Tax
    December 5, 2012 10:51 am
    This would hurt the poor that already have to move further and further away from the city just to find affordable housing, and have to commute long miles to get to work. Or people that have to drive across state on a regular basis? Not to mention being tracked- even more than we are. Sick.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    One should assume...
    December 5, 2012 10:53 am
    that a user fee by the mile will replace the taxes on gas and therefore gas might be $2.12/gal vs $3.50? My guess is this proposal would be in addition to the current gas tax.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    What about out of state drivers?
    December 5, 2012 11:05 am
    How would you charge them?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    How to collect?
    December 5, 2012 11:09 am
    Are we going to have a bureaucrat peering into our car looking at our odometer? How about a (big brother) G.P.S device that also mails you speeding tickets? The Democrat's are going HOG WILD over taxes now..next up the biggest farce of all ...The Carbon Tax.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pressman wrote...
    Oh, please
    December 6, 2012 2:07 am
    Let go of this idea that the two major parties are different- 16 trillion worth of debt didn't just happen since 2008- stop voting in the incumbent!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    your right, look at the congressional budget offices financial chart...
    December 6, 2012 5:46 am
    12 trillion happened since 2008. FACT!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsshirling wrote...
    another idea
    December 5, 2012 11:12 am
    Why don't we start by cutting the 10,000+ State employees Gov. Greg has hired over the last 8 years. That's roughly $100 million per thousand people on the payroll per year.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    wsshirling
    December 5, 2012 12:21 pm
    YES YES YES YES YES!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Are we allowed to say....
    December 5, 2012 11:20 am
    Bite me?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 1999thelastgoodyear wrote...
    LOL!
    December 5, 2012 12:10 pm
    Amen.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Publius wrote...
    Not Just No
    December 5, 2012 11:21 am
    H311 NO! I will not have any sort of tracking device mounted on my vehicle. This a logistical and civil rights nightmare waiting to happen.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NoiseMan wrote...
    I believe your current license plate...
    December 5, 2012 12:18 pm
    already has an electronic traking device in it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ToldYa wrote...
    NoiseMan
    December 5, 2012 8:50 pm
    lol... nice one!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    Let it happen
    December 5, 2012 11:22 am
    Think about what a wonderful green program it actually is and will generate thousands of jobs. It will reduce traffic congestion, people will drive less, we will have less air pollution and it will have the same economic impact on Hybrid cars.

    Heck no, the State would never consider using the device to track you, see the info to insurance companies to increase rates - Trust your politicians in Olympia.. If these are the people that you voted for - then they're representing your ideological views..

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }