California legislator, Fabian Nuñez, proposes taxing shoes to pay for roads!

Lori Saldaña writes the following in her May 6, 2005 editorial:

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez recently unveiled a comprehensive plan to jump-start California's much-needed transportation projects. The plan calls for a massive overhaul of the state's transportation infrastructure by cutting fuel costs by 11 cents a gallon and investing $60 billion in rebuilding highway and mass transit projects over the next 30 years.

If adopted, sales tax would no longer be charged on gasoline, starting immediately. The general state sales tax would be increased by a quarter-cent dedicated to transportation.

The immediate effect at the pump would be a $2 savings on $40 worth of gas, while the tax on a $40 pair of shoes would only increase 10 cents.

Here's the man himself: from Shift tax burden off gas to fund transportation By Fabian Nuñez :

Our proposal immediately cuts the price of gas at the pump by 11 cents a gallon. At the same time, it provides $10 billion to jump-start essential transportation projects in every part of the state. Over 30 years, our plan would invest a total of nearly $60 billion in our state's transportation infrastructure.

It replaces our existing sales tax on gasoline with an equal sales tax on other taxable items (which will grow faster than the existing sales tax). That's key - to broaden our tax base for transportation, while giving much needed tax relief when it comes to purchasing fuel.

Added by colin #442 on 2005-05-10. Last modified 2005-05-10 23:38. F0 License: Attribution
Location: World, United States, California
Topics: pro-car