The tax, designed to encourage car buyers to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, will likely ruffle some feathers should it be enacted. Car sales are already dreadful, and a tax on any kind of vehicle as the industry struggles will be met with sturdy opposition. The law would be the first of its kind in the country.
Massachusetts lawmakers are already considering a 19-cent increase in the gas tax, which will surely be controversial. When you need to come up with $19 billion over the next 20 years to maintain and modernize your transportation system, you probably have to put some unpalatable options on the table.