Put the breaks on the per-mile vehicle tax

America’s roads and bridges are crumbling.

Historically, motorists have paid for roads with a gas tax, but it has not kept pace with inflation, nor wirh fuel-efficient hybrid and electric cars that use little to no gas. Some states therefore are considering charging per mile instead of per gallon.

Strangely, this un-progressive idea is gaining traction in progressive states. California, Washington, Nevada and Massachusetts all are kicking the idea around. The liberal Center for American Progress likes it too.

Oregon, one of the few bright spots for Democrats in this month’s elections, seeks 5,000 volunteers to pay 1.5 cents per mile instead of 30 cents per gallon as part of a pilot project.

A mileage tax does have a progressive veneer. It would raise desperately needed money for infrastructure, and it would benefit low-income drivers who typically own older, less-fuel-efficient vehicles.

Scratch the surface, though, and one finds conservative outcomes that will harm the environment, climate change and civil liberties.

Sure, some of the people who drive gas-guzzlers are poor, but many more are just selfish owners of pickup trucks and SUVs. They will save big with a mileage tax.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 2, 2013: White Hummer H2 limousine at the city street. Art Konovalov / Shutterstock.com

The Oregon proposal illustrates this. Imagine two Oregonians who each drive 10,000 miles per year. Driver A has a hybrid car and gets and average 45 mpg. Under the current per gallon tax, she pays $67 per year. Driver B has an SUV that optimistically gets 17 mpg. He pays $176 in gas tax.

Both would pay the same $150 for 10,000 miles under the proposed mileage tax. Energy-efficient Driver A winds up paying more than double what she paid under the gas tax so that Energy Inefficient Driver B can pay less, and the state can raise some money.

The mileage tax therefore eliminates one of the biggest incentives for choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Alaskan Town Considers Becoming First Town In America To Tax Its Churches

Nome, Alaska, is known – when it’s known at all – for being the finish line for the famous Iditarod dogsled race, but apparently there isn’t a lot of money in that. Like many cities across the country, Nome finds itself hard-pressed to make ends meet. After struggling yet again to come up with the money to pay for the town’s humble services, Finance Director Julie Liew proposed an idea that has so far seemed almost impossible in the United States: Why not tax the churches?

Surprisingly, the city’s officials couldn’t come up with a good objection and the proposal moved forward.

According to KNOM:

“You get rid of the sales tax exemption, most of the time these other exemptions aren’t given—we’re a very nice city [to do] it,” Council member Matt Culley said. “When we sit down at budget time, [with] the numbers to look at, if we want to donate that [money back to nonprofits], the money can go all back in … but we have control over it now, as opposed to it going whatever direction that we have it going now.” 

The “direction” they have it going now is that roughly $300,000 is left in the hands of churches and non-profits. It’s a lot of money being left behind for a city that is facing annual deficits and deep cuts to town services. The city is quick to point out that this new plan doesn’t mean that the money would be gone forever, if there is a surplus the money can go back to the organizations. Instead, it would be treated much like how the government treats income tax – collected up front and given back based on need and availability.

Should the ordinance pass, it would represent the first tax on churches of its kind in the United States. Traditionally, religious groups have gotten far-ranging leeway in regards to tax exemptions. So much in fact that a Washington Post investigation in 2013 found that taxpayers spend about $82.5 billion each year to make up for the free rides churches enjoy.

Beautiful Irony: Noah’s Ark Theme Park Loses $18 Million in Tax Breaks Unless They Hire Atheists!

Seems Answers in Genesis hasn’t found many Answers in Kentucky…at least as far as tax credits are concerned. While religious institutions have long been taking advantage of tax exemption to make money, the $170 million Ark Encounter theme park planned for construction in Kentucky may not get the tax breaks its founders are used to. Unless they’re willing to hire non-Christians.

The $18 million in tax incentives offered to AIG (the eternal insurance company) for building the Ark Experience have been controversial from the day the Kentucky Tourism Department gave preliminary approval for them in July. These kind of tax breaks are pretty typical for those looking to build attractions, on the basis that they make for jobs and tourism dollars. Such sites are rewarded a 25 percent sales tax rebate.

However, that tax credit has since been put on hold…because of a job application.

The application for a computer design artist was found on AIG’s site and sent along to the state by Americans United for the Separation of Church and state. The application for The Ark Experience was pretty standard, except for two little requirements:

A letter of “Salvation Testimony,” and a “Creation Belief Statement.”

Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Bob Stewart said that such a job posting would violate Kentucky’s state and federal hiring laws.

“Therefore we are not prepared to move forward with consideration of the application for final approval without the assurance of Ark Encounter LLC that it will not discriminate in any way on the basis of religion in hiring for the project and will revise its postings accordingly.” 

A couple days later, Ark Encounter attorney James Parsons lied backpedaled by saying the posting was for AIG, not The Ark Encounter. Stewart called him out on it though, stating that the application was explicitly for the Ark Encounter. Ouch. Stewart gave AIG an out, though. The department will require

“…express written assurance from Ark Encounter that it will not discriminate in any way on the basis of religion in hiring for the project.”

They also required AIG revise all job postings to comply.

Answers in Genesis hasn’t responded as yet, but they’re expected to. Like most religious fundamentalists, profit for Ken Ham comes well before principle; expect Satan leading the Noah’s Ark tour soon.

Michigan County Takes Away Home From Injured Mother Because She Missed A Single Tax Payment

The government of Kalamazoo County, Michigan is about to hear one hell of an uproar in defense of a mother they’ve literally stolen a house from.

Deborah Calley paid $146,000 in cash for her dream home in 2010. She didn’t take out a mortgage or borrow money. She paid for it upfront, which means she owns it. There is no dispute over it.

But now the county has foreclosed on her home and is selling it via auction. Why? Because she missed a single tax payment in 2011 because the notices were addressed and mailed to banks Calley is unaffiliated with. She’s the homeowner and the county failed to get the notices to her. And that’s not all.

Calley says that when she paid her taxes in 2012, nobody mentioned anything about the missing tax payment from a year earlier.

“When I paid the taxes in 2012 right there in Richland, no one said, ‘Oh, well you still owe money for 2011,’” Calley told WITI. “So, I didn’t really have a clue. I thought I was right on time.”

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Creationists Lobbying For Taxpayer Funds To Pay For 'Historically Themed' Noah's Ark Park

Ken Ham's name might sound familiar -- he recently appeared with Bill Nye "the Science Guy" to debate evolution and creationism. He's a man with a mission, having successfully built the Creation Museum in Kentucky, a state with a high proportion of Southern Baptists and Evangelicals.

Now, Ham is desperately trying to convince the State of Kentucky to approve his request to use taxpayer money to fund his latest escapade -- a Noah's Ark museum and park called Ark Encounter. The bill for the Taxpayers of the Bluegrass State would come to about $73 million. But Ham has convinced the powers that be -- yes, the governor supports the project -- that it would pay for itself with the additional tax revenue it would generate.

The project would be funded by the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority, which meets tomorrow to vote on the plan. Ham already got the state to approve $173 million in state funding three years ago but withdrew his request when he was having funding challenges on his side.

Mike Zovath, Ark Encounter's project coordinator says they "expect" to get funding approval from the state "because the project fits all the criteria for the tourism act."

Apparently, historical accuracy isn't one of the criteria, although Ham insists the ark will be 510 feet long, supposedly exactly as described in the Bible -- making it the "largest timber-frame structure in the USA."

"Answers in Genesis embraces a literal interpretation of the book of Genesis and a belief that the Earth is only 6,000 years old — a view that runs counter to science," the Courier-Journal reports. "As a result, the Noah's Ark theme park has drawn criticism that the state incentives, as well as a $10.25 million project put into the state road construction plan to improve the state road between I-75 and the park, violate the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state."

Citing ‘Tax Fraud’, Republicans to Force Victims of Rape to Report to IRS

One would think the Republicans would have learned their lessons in 2012 when Todd Aiken used his “legitimate rape” comment, when anti-choice legislation made no exemptions for women who had been raped, and when their party literally tried to re-define rape in order to advance even more anti-choice legislation all across America.

However, Republicans are at it again, and this time they’re just coming right out with it: they want rape victims to report their assault to none other than a tax collector from the IRS!

The ‘No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act,’ also known as HR 7, is currently being peddled on Capitol Hill as being an astronomical measure that seeks to impose sweeping restrictions on abortion rights, and coverage for abortion that could make the procedure less affordable to low income women.

The bill was re-introduced by Republican Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, and of the 164 co-sponsor of the bill, 160 are Republican.

Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services, except in cases involving rape, incest, or life endangerment. So what is it the Republicans are trying to accomplish, other than slap the women of America in the face, yet again?

Here’s a small list of what HR 7 does:

Federal District Court Declares A Religious Income Tax Exemption Unconstitutional

A federal district court judge has declared “unconstitutional” a portion of U.S. law that allows “a minister of the gospel” to not pay income tax on a specific portion of their compensation.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara B. Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin ruled that the so-called “parish exemption,” which allows religious ministers to avoid paying taxes on the value of their housing granted to them by their religious employers, “violates the establishment clause” of the U.S. Constitution and must be discontinued.

The law, 26 U.S. C. § 107(2), has been on the books since 1954.

The tax exemption was estimated to cost U.S. taxpayers $2.3 billion from 2002-2007 alone, likely more in the years since.

Heralding it as a “major federal court victory,” the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which brought the lawsuit along with their co-presidents, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, offered an explanation of yesterday’s ruling.

Ministers may, for instance, use the untaxed income to purchase a home, and, in a practice known as “double dipping,” may then deduct interest paid on the mortgage and property taxes.
“The Court’s decision does not evince hostility to religion — nor should it even seem controversial,” commented Richard L. Bolton, FFRF’s attorney in the case. “The Court has simply recognized the reality that a tax free housing allowance available only to ministers is a significant benefit from the government unconstitutionally provided on the basis of religion.”
Crabb wrote: “Some might view a rule against preferential treatment as exhibiting hostility toward religion, but equality should never be mistaken for hostility. It is important to remember that the establishment clause protects the religious and nonreligious alike.”
The 1954 bill’s sponsor, Rep. Peter Mack, argued ministers should be rewarded for “carrying on such a courageous fight against this [godless and anti-religious world movement].”
“I agree with plaintiffs that §107(2) does not have a secular purpose or effect,” wrote Crabb, adding that a reasonable observer would view it “as an endorsement of religion.”
Crabb wrote that “the exemption provides a benefit to religious persons and no one else, even though doing so is not necessary to alleviate a special burden on religious exercise.”
All taxpayers are burdened by taxes, Crabb noted. “Defendants do not identify any reason why a requirement on ministers to pay taxes on a housing allowance is more burdensome for them than for the many millions of others who must pay taxes on income used for housing expenses.”

One study has estimated that in total, combined religious tax exemptions cost American taxpayers $71 billion each year.

The Foundation sued Jacob Lew, Secretary of the Treasury Department, and Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, Daniel Werfel.

The ruling, which you can read in full, below, notes:

It is DECLARED that 26 U.S.C. § 107(2) violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Defendants [the government] are ENJOINED from enforcing § 107(2). The injunction shall take effect at the conclusion of any appeals filed by defendants or the expiration of defendants’ deadline for filing an appeal, whichever is later.

In other words, the ruling right now is on hold until the appeals process is complete.

It is not known if the government will appeal, but expect a full-throated attack from the religious right demanding the law be re-written to comply with the Constitution.

HRC: NOM Illegally Withholding 2012 Tax Records

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is once again illegally withholding key financial tax documents from the public, HRC reports: 

 

Federal law requires organizations to publicly release their 990s the same day an in-person request is made. As a result, HRC has filed a complaint with the IRS in order to compel NOM to abide by the law.

“NOM’s inability to meet one of the most basic accounting standards for any organization makes you wonder what exactly is going on – are they simply demonstrating the same flagrant disregard they have for numerous state campaign finance laws, or is there something in these documents that reflects even more poorly on the organization and their failed work?” said Fred Sainz, HRC Vice President of Communications. “Brian Brown apparently had enough time on Friday to pull together a fundraising email feigning outrage at the marriage equality victory in Hawaii, but didn’t have time to ensure his organization was running in accordance with the law. NOM should do the right thing and immediately release these financial documents that the public has a right to see.”

They add:

According to NOM’s 2011 990s, obtained by HRC last year, the anti-LGBT organization raised only $6.2 million, a precipitous drop from the $9.1 million it raised in 2010. The documents also revealed that nearly 75 percent of NOM’s fundraising came from just two deep-pocketed donors.

What are they hiding this year?

The new oil boom in Texas has come at a steep price – the state can no longer afford to maintain the roads. Plans to convert miles over to gravel.

The new oil boom in Texas has come at a steep price. Heavy trucks and industrial equipment have destroyed miles of roads. Texas’ failure to collect taxes, fueled by anti-taxation rhetoric given out by corporatist puppetmasters. To resolve this issue, the state of Texas has decided to eliminate paved roads over 80 miles of state highway.

This will reduce the top speed of these roads down to 30 miles per hour, along with increased wear and tear on vehicles. Texas automobile owners, already having one of the highest costs for auto insurance in the nation, will now be facing rate increases over and above the 13% increase they faced last year alone. This failure to support the states infrastructure will further drive businesses away from Texas as the businesses cost to operate in the state continue to climb into the stratosphere. We can thank Rick Perry’s push for deregulation for much of these increased costs, as cutting corners pays off in the short term, but harms the companies long-term profits.

While it may sound like a smart solution, the truth is the construction of a gravel road is something which takes a lot more work overall. Instead of a one-time paving effort with routine maintenance, gravel roads require almost constant attention, and fall apart quickly if not maintained. This is normal for the GOP, who regularly engage in short-term ‘solutions’ which cost a fortune later on.

The real fear of this move is that the GOP may be forcing a return to the auto-trail, the era before there was a national highway policy in the United States. Roads then were rough, and were incredibly difficult to travel over. If you check out an original Ford Model T suspension against a modern cars, it is clear that the cars of that era were designed for what is little better than off-road travel. Only those who purchase off-road vehicles will be able to drive on these roads with any degree of comfort or safety.

This is part of the purposeful plan, to de-industrialize the United States. A powerful lobby has fought for years to turn the United States into a third world nation, exploited for its natural resources while lacking even basic infrastructure, or even human rights. The Republican Party will not rest until their goal, to destroy America, is complete. This move, to turn the roads of Texas into those not befitting a great nation, is just the latest move designed to pick the pockets of the middle and lower classes, to turn us all into serfs.

The decision to de-pave roadways is a clear sign that the Republican Party has no intention of governing. To let the roads fall into disrepair is a sign of a failed state. Texas is only delaying the inevitable. We may be looking at the first state bankruptcy. Despite cries to the contrary by the right-wing media, this is precisely what Paul Krugman warned the state back in 2011. The state, to attempt to hide their bankrupt state, has been raiding their rainy day fund which has lost a third of its funds since the last session. Yet, regardless, the state GOP passed billions in tax cuts for the top 1% in their state. This is not sustainable.

In short, this move by the state legislature is a simple statement:

Texas Is Broke.

NY To Refund Estate Taxes Paid By Same-Sex Couples Prior To DOMA Ruling

Those familiar to the case that gutted DOMA, Windsor v. United States, know that the suit was prompted by the over $300,000 in extra estate taxes that Edie Windsor was forced to pay as the result of her deceased spouse being a member of the same sex. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in Windsor's favor, the state of New York is offering refunds to anyone else who might have found themselves in her situation. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the refunds Tuesday, citing the Supreme Court decision to render DOMA unconstitutional. Said refunds apply to any same sex couple considered legally married in the state of New York who were forced to pay any extra estate taxes as the result of DOMA. At present, the state has not made any estimates of exactly how much tax money will need to be repaid. 

Upon the announcement, Cuomo expressed his personal support of the refunds:

"This financial compensation is one more step toward justice for Edie Windsor, and all of the men and women who confronted similar indifference at a time of deep personal loss."

According to the Daily Journal (via AP)...

"A refund must be claimed within three years of the tax return or two years after the tax was overpaid. More information is available through the state's Taxpayer Information Center at 518-457-5387."