I wonder how many readers would like to pay a new tax on the number of miles they drive as individuals, or as a commercial vehicle operator or an owner of a motor vehicle fleet.

How many are aware that within the 2,702 pages of H.R. 3684 to authorize Federal aid funds for highways, highway safety programs, transit programs, and other purposes, one of the “other purposes” is authorization of a pilot program to consider an additional tax, found on page 508, citing Sec. 13002, titled “National Motor Vehicle Per-Mile User Fee Pilot,” whose objectives are:

“To test the design, acceptance, implementation, and financial sustainability of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee.”

Democrats have been pushing for a per-mile tax for a long time, so this isn’t really surprising. But considering the damage the COVID restrictions have done on millions of people’s livelihoods, savings, and businesses, and their hoped for carbon tax, it seems to me adding another tax burden on people, especially to the poor and low income, is about as hard-hearted as one can get.

Elaine Biggerstaff

Bonney Lake