Oregon Introduces Bill to Prohibit Sale of Aftermarket Parts

[lonetreesteve]

Oregon sounds very much like a place we here in Colorado call "The People's Republic of Boulder". With its out-of-whack liberal, elitist ideas that government knows what's best for you and society. If I lived in Oregon, I'd be up in arms about all this legislation concerning what kind of gas mileage you get and what after-market car parts that you can buy. The gas pump law is just unbelievable and is indicative of how out-of-hand the state government has gotten up there.

[MikeW]

If I lived in Oregon, I'd be up in arms about all this legislation concerning what kind of gas mileage you get and what after-market car parts that you can buy.

I actually applaud the effort for better fuel mileage. There's already a perfectly reasonable system in place to provide incentive for better fuel economy: tax on gasoline. The problem in Oregon seems to be that people have become more efficient and therefore the tax revenue went down. Complicated fix: install a government mandated tracking device on every vehicle and tax you on miles driven instead of fuel. Easy fix: raise the gasoline tax. With a higher tax people who drive a lot end up paying more which is good because they're using the roads more. People with inefficient vehicles also pay more which is also good because a big heavy truck that gets 8MPG is also likely to be doing more damage to the roads.

[ta240]

But it is government so they can't do the easy fix. They have to do the one that costs the most, creates the most bureaucracy and give them the largest feeling of power.

[sblake01]

Is that hoosgow is spelled?? Buller..... Anyone.....?

Pretty sure that's correct.

[JonnyRock]

The problem in Oregon seems to be that people have become more efficient and therefore the tax revenue went down.

Actually it's not just Oregon, it's nationwide. The $4-5 a gallon over last summer made every states revenue plunge. Being a Portland are native I know that they have some funny laws. Hell they're the only state in the union that still has a 55mph limit through the cities (I believe it's the only one at least).

And conedogger I don't know where you were driving in Portland but I don't know of a single car (save for a few grannies) who obey the 55mph limit regularly. I'd say average speed it 60-65 when there isn't traffic. However Oregon is very proud of their Highway Patrol and those guys are out in force regularly. You've gotta be very careful in cities like Beaverton and Sandy because it seems all their police do is sit on the highway with a laser/radar gun.

[jmortensen]

I actually applaud the effort for better fuel mileage. There's already a perfectly reasonable system in place to provide incentive for better fuel economy: tax on gasoline. The problem in Oregon seems to be that people have become more efficient and therefore the tax revenue went down. Complicated fix: install a government mandated tracking device on every vehicle and tax you on miles driven instead of fuel. Easy fix: raise the gasoline tax. With a higher tax people who drive a lot end up paying more which is good because they're using the roads more. People with inefficient vehicles also pay more which is also good because a big heavy truck that gets 8MPG is also likely to be doing more damage to the roads.

Jesus Christ dude! You really want the government to have a friggin TRACKING DEVICE on your car?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?! And you want to tax inefficient vehicles more??!?!?!?!??!!!?!?!?!! Do you not realize that "inefficient" vehicles are likely the ones that actually DO WORK like bringing your FOOD into town and BUILDING stuff and HAULING GOODS around. Let's make those activities vastly more expensive and see what happens to society.

[MikeW]

Actually it's not just Oregon, it's nationwide. The $4-5 a gallon over last summer made every states revenue plunge.

In that case the tax must be a fixed number of cents per gallon instead of a percentage of the sale price. If the price doubles I doubt that people truly start driving half as much so a tax as a percentage like a normal sales tax would have actually increased tax revenue when the prices were high.

Politically the gas tax is always going to be a problem. A few years ago after Katrina when the supply was down and prices were up the Gov. of Georgia actually wanted to cut the gas tax in order to give people a break. Ignorant constituents loved it but it's the exact opposite of what to do when there's a shortage. People need to conserve and a higher price is a good way to help make that happen.

[MikeW]

Jesus Christ dude! You really want the government to have a friggin TRACKING DEVICE on your car?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?! And you want to tax inefficient vehicles more??!?!?!?!??!!!?!?!?!!

No, I think the tracking device it the dumbest idea ever. Also, I didn't say that inefficient vehicles should be taxed more - rather that with the existing gas tax inefficient vehicles were already getting taxed more and that there's nothing wrong with that system.

[jmortensen]

No, I think the tracking device it the dumbest idea ever. Also, I didn't say that inefficient vehicles should be taxed more - rather that with the existing gas tax inefficient vehicles were already getting taxed more and that there's nothing wrong with that system.

I just re-read your post. Seems like you posted that a complicated "FIX" would be for the govt to install a tracking system in your car. Fix implies that it solves a problem, not that it is "the dumbest idea ever". As to your gasoline tax idea, I think raising the gasoline tax at a time of economic crisis would be an extremely bad idea. If anything the tax on gasoline should be lowered. Even a Keynesian should be in agreement there. I suppose if you're one of those Gaia-worshipping types, then what you propose makes sense in a save-the-world-damn-the-people sort of way, but I'll be over here countering every vote you make.

[AWC]

Yes the gas tax is pennies per gallon. And tax revenues went down when gas prices went up because people were driving less.

This bill isn't about liberal or conservative, it is just stupid.

I put an aftermarket intake, header, and exhaust on my daily driver and it significantly increased my fuel economy, so forcing people into OEM only parts actually is contrary to the goal of increasing fuel economy and reducing emission. They already enforce emissions standards for our cars, so it isn't clear to me how banning aftermarket parts altogether improves on that.

[280~Master]

I think they are just trying to stop all those 20, 22, and 26 inch rims from hitting the road. I guess you guys in Oregon are gonna have to pass up those new 20 and 22 inch Watanabes over at MSA.

[MikeW]

As to your gasoline tax idea, I think raising the gasoline tax at a time of economic crisis would be an extremely bad idea. If anything the tax on gasoline should be lowered. Even a Keynesian should be in agreement there. I suppose if you're one of those Gaia-worshipping types, then what you propose makes sense in a save-the-world-damn-the-people sort of way, but I'll be over here countering every vote you make.

I don't feel like taxes should be raised for the purpose of trying to save the environment. Perhaps my original post wasn't complete and perhaps I don't properly understand the situation in Oregon. My assumption is that revenue from gas tax is used to maintain the roads and that because people there weren't driving as much or were driving more efficient vehicles there wasn't enough money to maintain the roads. In that case I feel like raising the tax on gas enough to cover road maintenance is a far better solution than a tracking device that imposes a different type of tax with the same goal of generating more revenue.