Democrats UNLEASH Orwellian Tracking Tax Scheme

A line of cars stuck in traffic on a roadway

Democrat-run states are advancing Orwellian vehicle mileage tracking programs that will monitor every mile you drive while imposing new taxes that threaten to cripple working families already struggling with inflation.

Story Highlights

California Democrats propose per-mile “subscription” tax of 3 cents per mile, costing commuters up to $44 monthly
Oregon expands mandatory mileage tracking for all EVs and hybrids by 2027-2028 with government surveillance devices
Privacy advocates warn of unprecedented government overreach as states monitor driving habits and locations
Rural and low-income Americans face disproportionate burden from policies designed to fund failed climate initiatives

California’s Surveillance Tax Scheme Takes Shape

California Democrats are pushing forward with an invasive per-mile tax system that would charge drivers 3 cents for every mile traveled. The program, disguised as infrastructure funding, represents a direct assault on mobility freedom and privacy rights. A typical commuter driving from Hanford to Fresno would face $44 monthly bills under this surveillance scheme, effectively penalizing Americans for working and living their lives.

Oregon Expands Government Tracking Mandate

Oregon’s OReGO program demonstrates how quickly voluntary programs become mandatory government control. Starting January 1, 2026, the rate increased to 2.3 cents per mile, with all electric vehicles and hybrids required to participate by July 2027. The state offers a $340 flat-fee option, but this creates a two-tiered system that penalizes different vehicle choices while maintaining government surveillance infrastructure.

Privacy Rights Under Assault

These tracking systems require invasive monitoring through smartphone apps, plug-in devices, or odometer readings that create detailed records of citizen movements. Government bureaucrats will know where Americans travel, when they drive, and how often they leave their homes. This represents unprecedented peacetime surveillance that would make authoritarian regimes proud while undermining Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.

Working Families Bear the Burden

Rural Americans and long-distance commuters face the heaviest impact from these regressive tax schemes. Unlike urban elites who can rely on public transit, working families in suburban and rural areas depend on vehicles for employment, healthcare, and basic necessities. The Washington Examiner correctly warns these taxes will “inevitably increase” following historical patterns of government revenue expansion, crushing families who cannot afford additional financial burdens.

These Democrat-led initiatives represent everything wrong with big government overreach: invasive surveillance, regressive taxation, and punishment of traditional American values like mobility and self-reliance. President Trump’s rollback of excessive EV mandates provides hope, but states must be held accountable for these unconstitutional tracking schemes that treat law-abiding citizens like criminals.