Possible New Taxes on Bicycle Tires and Batteries.

[Gator]

Just when we were starting to have fun, here comes the tax man. Pennsylvania I hope you take a hard look at Rep. Bill Shuster.

From the article;

"In addition to raising the federal gas tax, the bill calls for a huge increase in fuel taxes paid by transit agencies, as well as a 10 percent tax on adult bicycle tires and electric batteries for cars and bikes."

https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/07...-bill-would-raise-taxes-on-transit-and-bikes/

Give Rep. Bill Shuster a call and let him know what you think about his Tax Bill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
2079 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2431
202-225-2486 (fax)

HOLLIDAYSBURG OFFICE
310 Penn Street, Suite 200
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
814-696-6318
1-800-854-3035
814-696-6726 (fax)

CHAMBERSBURG OFFICE
100 Lincoln Way East, Suite B
Chambersburg, PA 17201
717-264-8308
717-264-0269 (fax)

INDIANA OFFICE
827 Water Street #3
Indiana, PA 15701
724-463-0516
724-463-0518 (fax)

 

[Alphbetadog]

Why stop there? Might as well put an additional tax on shoes, and having them re-soled.
Actually this bill sounds like a ploy to intentionally get the bill rejected with the tax to local transit agencies - putting a tax on taxpayer supported entities - double taxation. That way the politicians beholden to Big Oil can try to say; "but we tried to raise the fuel taxes but it was rejected..." Rather than have a common sense and realistic bill presented.

 

[Dewey]

At some point fuel taxes have to rise, here in Virginia the state subsidy for Metro has been structured so the communities in Northern Virginia that use it bear the burden of paying for it, fair enough but that means they’ve had to raid the transportation budget that was going to pay for bicycle infrastructure improvements among other things. I’d gladly pay extra for gas if it meant more money spent on bikes, but if a tax on bicycle tires just gets sucked into the general road maintenance fund there should be an increase on funding for bike infra not robbing Peter to pay Paul

 

[Mr. Coffee]

After reading the article I think this is hilarious. A ten percent tax on bicycle tires would raise $15 million per year by 2021.

Just for perspective, the Federal Government spends something over $2 trillion per year, which means that $15 million would run the United States Government for approximately four minutes.

 

[6zfshdb]

Pennsylvania has been in a perpetual budget crisis for the last decade. It has the most bloated legislature (representatives per capita) of any state or commonwealth in the US. This ridiculous bill is just one of many designed to raise tax revenue or make a "name" for the rep thus justifying his or her existence.
If passed, enforcement of this law will be difficult. I for one, will make non emergency bicycle related purchases on line or out of state.
Thankfully, this bill is not likely to pass but it does put the increased popularity of bicycling in the sights of legislators for future tax bills.

 

[ebikemom]

YIKES--don't we want folks cycling instead of driving???? There should be INCENTIVES for cycling, not disincentives.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

YIKES--don't we want folks cycling instead of driving???? There should be INCENTIVES for cycling, not disincentives.

That would be true if we lived in a world where a majority of elected officials were well-informed, reasonable, rational, and wanted to do what is best for our society. Unfortunately we do not live in that world.

 

[6zfshdb]

That would be true if we lived in a world where a majority of elected officials were well-informed, reasonable, rational, and wanted to do what is best for our society. Unfortunately we do not live in that world.

So true.

Even though we elect our legislators, in too many cases, they don't work for us but rather for lobbyists and special interest groups. That is why "People For Bikes" is so important to the biking community.