Taxing the UnRepped

For years, the City of Omaha has taxed its citizens by charging an annual 'wheel tax', which was collected when car owners renewed their state license plate. It always seemed a little unfair to me, as those who didn't have a car didn't pay, and those who had an old car paid the exact same amount as someone who had a brand new one. But nobody asked me my opinion on the subject.

At one point, the wheel tax was extended to those who worked in city government but didn't live within city limits. However, they only charged those people the wheel tax on one car, probably because they had no way of knowing exactly how many vehicles that person might own. This was even more unfair. Employees were being taxed based on who they worked for! But of course, their only recourse was to quit.

The city has its reasons for wanting to get as many people to pay this tax as they can manage. Supposedly, it pays for maintaining the streets, which all those auto tires are busily wearing out. Do other cities pay for street repairs by charging a wheel tax? I don't know. I wish I did.

The most recent proposal from the Omaha city government is that everybody who works inside the city limits – but lives outside the city – should have to pay this wheel tax. I haven't heard how they propose to make that happen. Are the employers supposed to collect it and turn it in? I'm sure they think they've found a way. But wait a minute. People who live outside the city don't have the opportunity to vote on whether or not they should have to pay this tax. They don't have any representation within City Government. Isn't that Taxation Without Representation? Didn't we once fight a war against that very concept?

So, what comes next in this effort to make people pay for the street asphalt they use up by driving through town? Why doesn't the city erect toll booths on all the roads coming into town, all the exits from the interstate, and charge for the privilege of entering the City of Omaha? Think of all those tourists who pause to use a hotel or grab a tankful of gas, a bite to eat. Aren't they also using up the asphalt? Shouldn't they have to shoulder their share of the replacement cost? Of course, they aren't represented on the City Council, either, but such things don't seem to matter in Omaha.