government

“You won a Democratic primary and you don’t drive a hybrid?”

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There is so much in this story I’m not sure where to begin. So just enjoy. (and the title of the post is a quote from the story) ;-)

‘Prius tax’ foes urge McDonnell to kill it – The Washington Post: RICHMOND — Two legislators from Northern Virginia — one a hybrid car owner, the other a wannabe — traveled to Richmond on Monday to deliver a petition against $100-a-year fee on alternative-fuel vehicles.

Del. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) and Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) delivered 6,845 signatures to the office of Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), calling on him to amend the General Assembly’s $1.4 billion-a-year transportation funding overhaul to eliminate the fee.

Surovell and Ebbin said the fee, which would apply to electric mopeds as well as automobiles, is contrary to the goals of improving the environment and lessening dependence on foreign oil. It would generate about $10 million in fiscal 2014.

“Those hybrid owners are doing the right thing,” Ebbin said.
…
McDonnell has said the fee is a matter of basic fairness, because alternative-fuel vehicles cause wear-and-tear on the roads just like any other car, but their owners contribute little or nothing for their upkeep through the gas tax.

Surovell conceded that some hybrid owners do pay less in gas taxes over the year, but it’s more like $30 a year less, not $100. He also noted that hybrid owners are already paying a premium for their vehicles, and they pay higher car titling and personal property taxes.

“A lot of people feel this is a tax on virtue,” Surovell said. … “What are gonna tax next, non-smokers?”

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  • http://www.marfdrat.net marfdrat

    Being a Virginian, I don’t think much of McDonnell’s new tax regime, but that’s a different post. These “alternative fuel” folks are making themselves out to be some kind of green martyrs: Hey, because my car runs on unicorn farts, it doesn’t actually have an impact on the road like your fossil-fuel road crusher, so I shouldn’t have to pay road-use taxes. Never mind that ultimately their stupid car uses fossil fuels from the coal-burning electric plant – they can’t see the fuel, so they must not be using any. Sheesh. If they’re stupid enough to “pay a premium” (that they’ll likely never recover in fuel savings) for their eco-friendly vehicle, that’s their problem; they’re still using the same roads I’m using.

  • SimpleMachine88

    “A lot of people feel this is a tax on virtue,” Surovell said. … “What are gonna tax next, non-smokers?”

    Yes! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes! Finally. I have been waiting for so long for this.