Letter to the editor: Fees cover the costs driving imposes on society

Governor Doyle has proposed a substantial increase in license fees (following the repeal of automatic gas tax hikes). The move prompted this letter to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that gets to the heart of the matter:

In the stir about increased license fees, cited in the article "DOT seeks 46% boost in car fee," an important issue was left out.

License fees are not just a payment for the privilege to drive. They are also a user fee for the costs that driving imposes on society. Different kinds of vehicles impose greater costs on other taxpayers when they drive. Heavier and less fuel-efficient cars spew more pollution into the air and put greater wear and tear on the roads.

State license fees typically vary by vehicle type or class of license issued. Why not vary vehicle fees by fuel mileage? Wisconsin could easily create such a program. The fuel-mileage data for each car type is already kept by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Wisconsin drivers shouldn't pay more than they have to, but they should pay in proportion to the costs they create.

Dan Kohler
State director, WISPIRG

Madison

Link: JS Online:.

Comments

[Steve]

The great bait and switch is in place. No one is talking about Doyle's raid on the transportation fund to shift money to the schools. I recall something like $300,000. Then to hide this proposed increase until after the election is typical of our ethically challenged governor.

[Steve]

sorry, the number is supposed to be $300,000,000.

[John Michlig]

Shifting money from the asphalt-spreading fund to schools is A-OK by me, and one of the reasons I voted for Doyle.

I don't think he "hid" anything, since I read about it in the MJS back in September.

The bottom line is that, despite what we might perceive as "high" fees and gas taxes, we don't come near to paying for the ongoing impact of driving on society, infrastructure, healthcare costs, etc.

[Terrence Berres]

"Different kinds of vehicles impose greater costs on other taxpayers when they drive."

Are the fees in question adjusted based on the amount a particular vehicle is driven?

[John Michlig]

"Are the fees in question adjusted based on the amount a particular vehicle is driven?"

I believe it's now based on weight, axle width, etc.

[Terrence Berres]

Then Mr. Kohler is advocating something with no necessary connection to the very principle he espouses, "Wisconsin drivers ... should pay in proportion to the costs they create." It's the use of a vehicle, not its existence, that incurs such costs, and the license fee is unrelated to the amount a vehicle is used.

[John Michlig]

"It's the use of a vehicle, not its existence, that incurs such costs, and the license fee is unrelated to the amount a vehicle is used."

Well, in defense of Mr. Kohler's position, I think he means that it is possible to adjust the fee paid by individual drivers to reflect the sort of vehicle they are registering, i.e. hybrids could pay less than vehicles that guzzle more gas because their impact during the upcoming registration period will be less than that of the gas-guzzler. Perhaps this then works as an incentive for consumers as they consider a new car purchase.

[Terrence Berres]

Any such incentive effects are likewise not directly related even to actual environmental impact, which would depend on miles driven or fuel usage.