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A local state assemblyman has proposed a bill that could end up adding a fee to driver registrations or gas at the pumps in Los Angeles County. The West Hollywood based Mike Feuer, who sits on the state's Transportation committee, has put in AB2558 that would either add $90 to annual registrations or 9-cents per gallon of gas.
It would raise $400 million a year for public transit projects. It's a hefty hunk of change that's not going to bring the subway to the sea over night, but will fund and help complete various projects around the county. However, there are always the naysayers and its always the same people -- the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
"This seems to be a cashing in on public sympathies on global warming to generate additional funding for programs that already exist," Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., told the LA Times.
Meanwhile, gasoline executives of the five biggest U.S. oil companies were questioned today by lawmakers "to explain the soaring fuel prices amid huge industry profits and why they weren't investing more to develop renewable energy source such as wind and solar" the Associated Press reports. Exxon profited $40 billion last year, but says they provided $100 million in funding for climate change research. That comes out to 0.0025 of their profits, not even 1%. Developers even give 1% to the arts in most cities when they build.
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Hmmm, that sounds like unfair taxation to me. Why should someone who makes $20k a year pay the same amount towards it as someone who makes 600K? There's got to be a better way...
I agree with the commenter above. This tax, as proposed, would be totally regressive.
Guys, it's not a tax, it's a tax "fee!!"
Its bullshit is what it is.
I think they should charge higher fees on the really fuel inefficent vehicles. Like Hummers, Ford Expeditions, Toyota Armadas. You know, the ones that only get about 8-14 mpg.
After all, we all have to breath the air that they are pumping all those extra pollutants into.
Nice one jrb. I'm all for the gas price increase as you have a litle more control over how much you spend as some people can opt to take public transit in lieu of driving.
"... some people can opt to take public transit in lieu of driving."
I remember a huge spike in ridership when gas hit $3. DASH even added a special shuttle that only goes from Figueroa and 7th Metro Station, to 333 S. Beaudry, (the LAUSD admin bldg.). Then people got lazy, and $3 didn't seem so bad. I expect we'll see another spike in ridership when gas hits $4.
I also like the other idea of raising the sales tax $.005, as long as the funds are ringfenced and no one can decide to raid them in a budget crisis, (like when is there not one).
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has the right idea...
"London's levy for sins of emission"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-congestion3apr03,0,5476674.story