Paying By the Mile

July 2, 2009 | By Larry Mantle

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My family and I recently returned from a vacation that included time on the Navajo reservation in the Four Corners are of the Southwest. It's spectacularly beautiful country, juxtaposed with the serious economic challenges that reservation residents face. One major aspect of living in that region is how far a person needs to drive to do basic shopping or to see a doctor.

I was thinking about those distances while talking this morning about the proposal that Americans pay taxes by the mile, instead of per gallon of gasoline pumped. A Congressionally-appointed panel has recommended that the Federal government take the per-mile route over increasing gas taxes. I'm wondering how much that would cost the Navajo nation resident going from Kayenta, Arizona to Flagstaff for groceries. These are things we don't often consider until noticing the tremendous regional differences in our country.

The listener calls on the per-mile proposal were terrific and really brought out the range of important impacts to consider. Please comment on the "AirTalk" page, so that we can keep the conversation going.

Tachiinii Asdzani
4 months, 2 weeks ago

I remember working for the Navajo Nation, and how many miles I use to drive.
How much gas I used. It will effect the medical service for sure. Also all the home health care, and social service, police dept, every branch of the navajo nation.
Not only that it will effect the ppls who haul water, for home use and for animals, also haul wood for there warmth.

Thanks
Tachiinii Asdzani

Anna
4 months, 2 weeks ago

I don't understand why the government is using this excuse to possibly impose these mandatory gps devices and make us pay per mile versus raising the gas tax, when people drive less during a recession. This is cyclical, and people will drive more and use more gas when we start seeing the recession recede.

Not only that, for as many hybrids drivers there are there are double the amount of SUV drivers, in California probably more.

Ed
4 months, 2 weeks ago

We live in Kayenta and do exactly as you mentioned. At least 2 trips to Flagstaff a month for Doctors and shopping. 300 miles round-trip, 5 hours and 40 minutes driving time plus the visits. There is no doubt that pay-per-mile will hurt as much as the gas costs.

bev
4 months, 2 weeks ago

I use to work for Navajo Nation. with Navajo Area Agency On Aging . Senior Center in Western Agency Area. We had Our cut on our Budget ,and short hours. They don't know there alot of our Elderly living in remoted Area alone , I had to deliver hot meals, did their Errands , transport them to and back from their appt ,an field tripes ... This well effect their daily hot meals and everything because of gas. costs

Henry Ellison
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Good question.

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