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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)


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  • irony wrote...
    only in ghea washington can this happen
    December 5, 2012 3:31 pm
    a society with no morals is a society that can do anything.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    What percentage of our paycheck is taxes?
    December 5, 2012 3:33 pm
    I really do wonder that these days, considering both state and federal taxes. I figure approximately 20% right off the top before we even get the check, but that surely isn't all. We pay out another 8+% in sales tax, plus we have to pay out a property tax. On top of all this we have all the hidden taxes that we tend to forget about until they are brought up in conversations such as this. These hidden taxes are the greatest because in many instances we seem to end up having to pay taxes on hidden taxes, especially on the 'sin' taxes. We are over 30% for the average working American from what I can figure, yet the government thinks this isn't enough? Maybe these lazy bums should go out into the real world, work a real job, and experience reality just like the rest of us.
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  • Saltchucker wrote...
    Put tolls on office doors in Olympia.
    December 5, 2012 3:38 pm
    Want a senators ear? Swipe your credit card at the door. At least we'll track the bribes that way!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TYR wrote...
    one more ploy
    December 5, 2012 4:09 pm
    This State just cannot leave people alone.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    car tabs just went up 30% in ONE year
    December 5, 2012 4:18 pm
    where the eff is all the money going?!? The DOL added a $20 "Congestion reduction charge funds King County Metro transit service" to my car tabs?!?! I never take the bus. I drive my car and pay gas tax. Why am I now required to pay not only for my gas tax, but also a $3 filing fee, $30 "license fee funds road maintenance projects," $10 vehicle weight fee, $0.75 license service fee supports the computer system used to provide licensing services!? So now that everything is computerized and automated it costs more to run and there is a fee for that too?!? And if I was a little bit dumber I'd also be paying a $5.00 optional state parks donation that was so kindly snuck into the $68.75 total. What do parks have to do with my car tabs?! Stop trying to trick me! And didn't we pass a Tim Eymann bill that said car tabs would be $30?
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  • Zoeller wrote...
    "taking the pulse of the people."
    December 5, 2012 4:40 pm
    Here is my pulse- He!! NO.......
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    "you're paying the 9th highest gas tax in the country"
    December 5, 2012 4:47 pm
    But it is never enough the num# nuts of WA. State Gov. How about they start with Fixing their broken down rip-off of system and then maybe they can ask for more money,Oh never mind they would have so much surplus money they would have a have a hard time spending it all.
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  • sportsguru wrote...
    I don't think so
    December 5, 2012 5:00 pm
    Kiss my A55. Beeoootch
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    Hey.. let it happen
    December 5, 2012 5:06 pm
    And then I'll start an underground business making jammers and bet in 15 minutes I could spoof it and show 1 mile traveled for every hundred or thousands miles driven...

    Taking pre-orders now... but wait... buy one.. and I'll send you a second device absolutely free.. just pay the additional shipping and handling..

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  • messiah101 wrote...
    cdbtx
    December 5, 2012 8:22 pm
    Yep underground scams will pop up everywhere to beat the system. I remember satellite decoders being sold at swap meets years ago to get Sat TV for free (before cable)Of course the bureaucracy will require law enforcement being increased to stop this from happening.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 509 wrote...
    Well....since eastern Washington is sending gas tax dollars west since NOBODY in western Washington ever drives to eastern Washington..
    December 5, 2012 5:07 pm
    This would finally answer all those arguments. Fair is fair. Put a GPS on every vehicle and send the tax money to the regions where everybody drives. Yeah, it will hurt eastern Washington since NOBODY from western Washington drives east but it is time we pay our fair share. Oh, maybe a toll on the cross-Cascade highways so those eastern Washington drivers finally pay their fair share for the cross-Cascade Highways!!!
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