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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

  • Forrest wrote...
    Here's an idea for a study.
    December 5, 2012 5:23 pm
    Let's try the GPS system on the governor, legislators, and all state and local elected officials first and post their whereabouts on the internet. That way their spouse can check on where they are after hours and we taxpayers can see just where they spend their day while they are working for us. See if they like the intrusion.
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  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    @Forrest
    December 6, 2012 12:41 am
    Great comment, try it on the "elected" people first (mandatory) and see if this should go forward. At one job, awhile aback, I put a great big tinfoil ball on the company car tracking device. Ahh, just started to use my own car, didn't want them to see go into a Burger King.
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  • JustAnotherFish wrote...
    Another Taxpayer-Funded Study
    December 5, 2012 5:55 pm
    ...benefitting whom, exactly? Regardless of the results, more of our money is wasted on ridiculous ideas brought about by some "advisory committee", who I'm sure have nothing at stake in the outcome.

    It never ends.

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  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Regardless of the results
    December 6, 2012 12:44 am
    Thanks JustAnotherFish, just flushing more money down the drain.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    The Advisory committee is stacked with members who will vote the desired outcome.
    December 5, 2012 7:21 pm
    Go to Appendix A of the report for their biographies. The committe is a JOKE. This is what happens when you continue to vote for the same Democrats over and over again. Will Secret Sauce Inslee replace Hammond? Will he replace any Department heads? This is an insult to the Taxpayers of Washington State.
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  • dexterjibs wrote...
    I can't decide if lib-tards are funny or dangerous
    December 5, 2012 11:02 pm
    I guess when they are in power, they are very dangerous. Let me get this straight, they jack up the gas tax in ana effort to force us into little Dave Ross-girly guy cars in order to save gas? So, when they succeed at that move, they tell us we are now going to pay by the mile because their revenues on gas taxes are down because they forced us to purchase less gas? I truly believe liberalism is a mental disorder.
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  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    I'm willing to bet Hammond is in her 50's
    December 5, 2012 11:25 pm
    And is looking for a nice long-term project to ride into retirement.
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  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    A simpler solution
    December 5, 2012 11:31 pm
    Mass the WA Army Guard down in Vancouver then launch an invasion across the river into Portland, collect the spoils, and withdraw back before they can counter. Worst case is you lose Vancouver, but hey, there's a much nicer one across the northern border which leads me to Plan B...
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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    The pulse of the people
    December 6, 2012 1:05 am
    As if things are not getting bad enough our "leaders" think we can swallow another job killing tax.Who in the world believes a mile "tax" would replace a gas tax.Answer ..nobody. Hint..reduce waste.
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  • Gunther wrote...
    More Money
    December 6, 2012 2:22 am
    Don't worry Washingtonians, the state will study the issue thoroughly spending 3.5 million first. Of course with Ms. Paula at the helm we shouldn't worry, just look how we'll DOT performed with the new Ferry's. Lets think about where we can cut and save first before we design new ways to tax.
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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    they never have enough taxes...
    December 6, 2012 5:44 am
    have you seen your tab bill lately...they now FORCE you to buy 8 bus tickets you may either keep them or donate them to the "Needy"....it is a "traffic congestion relief" program....taxes taxes and more taxes, spending spending and more spending that's what voting Democrat and liberal do to you...tax you until everyone is the same amount of broke besides the Royal politicians who by the way will be exempt from Obamacare another thing we will be FORCED to buy.
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