Massachusetts Considers a ‘Hummer Tax’

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced this week that he’s looking into creating a ‘Hummer tax’ – higher registration fees for gas-guzzling vehicles and discounts for those that do less harm to the environment. The proposal is part of the governor’s transportation plan, which will be unveiled in full today.

From Boston.com:

Environmentalists applauded the registration proposal, saying it would encourage people to buy smaller and more fuel-efficient cars, which are increasingly seen as key to curbing global warming. Similar proposals have been proposed in Massachusetts since at least 2001, but without the prominent backing of a sitting governor.

“The social costs of larger vehicles include not only the additional pollution, but also higher crash risks to other vehicles,” said Representative William Brownsberger, a Belmont Democrat who is cosponsoring two bills in the Legislature that would penalize expensive and heavy cars with higher taxes or fees.

“Big gas guzzlers will pay more for their registration,” he added. “Plug-in hybrids would pay less and you’d have a range, that kind of thing.”

It’s about time, isn’t it? If you’re such an asshole that you think you’re totally entitled to drive a Hummer around your suburban neighborhood without being held responsible for the extra pollution you’re producing and the amount of fossil fuels you’re consuming, you deserve the extra fees. And, a Hummer tax might just prevent people from buying cars like these in the first place.

Link [Boston.com]

Photo credit: Flickr user blmurch

Related Posts:

Hummer Owners Claim Moral High Ground
Some Won’t Give up Hummers No Matter How High Gas Price Go
Green College Spotlight: Williams College
GM Giving Up 2 of 5 Private Jets Amid Criticism
Green Stimulus Idea – ‘Cash for Clunkers’