Zoom, zoom, zoom.

So there’s this article that talks about the idea of imposing a change in the gas tax based on miles driven, rather than gallons of gas purchased. If I understand this correctly, Oregon will soon pilot this project using a GPS tracking system — a “smart” odometer — in every vehicle.

It goes something like this: When a volunteer motorist fills up at the gas pump, the data on the “smart” odometer will be downloaded and a fee will be added onto the total amount of the gas price.

The Governator says that changing the gas tax isn’t a priority of his, but really, who knows what’s going to happen in the future? Of course, I’m riled up. The next car I want to buy (if I don’t get my Porsche, that is) will probably be a hybrid. And I don’t want to be penalized for doing my part to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable forms of energy. It’s bad enough that I’m paying almost $3 a gallon once or twice a week. Why not generate more tax revenue by increasing the tax on those SUVs?

Oh right. Because that would be the right thing to do. And Jah knows, lawmakers never do the right thing when it comes to the environment.

And can I say this GPS locator freaks me out? Nobody needs to know how many miles I drive, or if I leave the state. Reading my first FasTrak statement already gave me the heebs – it listed every single day I’ve crossed the Bay Bridge, including date and time of day.