Taxing Your Mileage

More than 70,000 bridges in the U.S. are considered "structurally deficient," and thousands of miles of roads and highways are in bad need of repair. States now get about half of their highway funding from state and federal gas taxes, and that revenue is dwindling. Last summer’s pricey gas and today’s slagging economy mean that Americans are driving less and buying more fuel efficient vehicles.

Legislators in New Hampshire and four other states are considering raising gas taxes to fill gaps. The Oregon Department of Transportation is test-driving another idea – a tax based on miles driven rather than gallons purchased at the pump. It’s called a "vehicle mileage tax."

To find out more, we speak to Edward Walsh, a reporter for The Oregonian, who’s been following the pilot project since its inception. Read some of his coverage here.

(Photo by lynac)