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We're trying to make the right choices in our family to reduce our impact on the environment, such as remembering to bring our reusable grocery bags and growing our own organic food. But it feels like a futile effort when, for example, the Portland Public School system puts almost 4 million Styrofoam trays into landfills each school year (and who knows how many plastic sporks) because it's more "cost effective" than washing real trays and silverware. Even the milk cartons, which we can recycle curb side in our homes, cannot be recycled at schools without being rinsed and dried for 24 hours -- try that on volunteer time! How do I sustain any energy for reducing my own individual impact when this is happening here in green Portland?

posted 4 years ago
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Uh, the point is that the gas tax would be replaced with the mileage tax. And let's compare the Honda Civic to a tractor-trailer rig... which should pay more per mile? Has this even been addressed?

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Ok, let's say the concern is with the insurance companies. Still a BAD idea.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Should a heavy semi tractor-trailer driving the same number of miles of a Prius pay the same in "mileage" tax? Don't heavier vehicles have a larger impact on roads than lighter vehicles? I think this is a crazy idea. I live in Portland and often bike or walk, but I am concerned that it's completely unfair to rural Oregonians who have no choice but to drive long distances. And I'm not a huge privacy advocate, but egads, the idea that all our cars would have a tracking device is pretty scary. Please, just increase the gas tax!

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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