Seasoned & Unfiltered

The gas tax isn't enough anymore...
So what's the government's next idea?
Charge you by the mile.
This week on Seasoned & Unfiltered, Steve O takes a deep dive into the growing push for a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Tax, a policy that could fundamentally change how Americans pay for the roads they drive on. 
With electric vehicles becoming more common and gas tax revenues shrinking, states across the country are experimenting with mileage-based fees that could eventually replace—or possibly be added on top of—existing fuel taxes.
But there's a bigger question:
How much information should the government collect just to tax you for driving?
Steve explores:
  •  Why the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money 
  •  How VMT programs work 
  •  Privacy concerns surrounding GPS tracking 
  •  Double taxation fears 
  •  The impact on EV owners and everyday commuters 
  •  Whether this is a reasonable solution—or government overreach 
Is this the future of transportation funding... or the beginning of something much bigger?
Chapters
00:00 – They're Tracking Your Miles
00:50 – Why the Gas Tax Is Failing
02:19 – What Is a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Tax?
03:12 – The Original Highway Funding Model
04:27 – Why the Highway Trust Fund Is Running Dry
05:31 – The 2028 Funding Crisis
06:14 – How Electric Vehicles Changed Everything
07:04 – Inflation & The Shrinking Gas Tax
08:02 – Is the Government Fixing Its Own Mistake?
08:36 – Why VMT Requires Tracking Your Vehicle
09:24 – Privacy Concerns & Government Surveillance
10:53 – What Your Car Could Reveal About You
11:40 – Is This "Big Brother" for Drivers?
13:57 – States Already Testing Mileage Taxes
15:01 – California & Colorado's Pilot Programs
15:50 – The Risk of Double Taxation
16:49 – The $20 Billion Collection Cost
17:23 – Voluntary Today… Mandatory Tomorrow?
18:57 – The Case FOR a Mileage Tax
20:27 – Can Privacy Actually Be Protected?
22:33 – Will Gas Taxes Ever Go Away?
23:23 – Are Americans About to Pay Even More?
24:39 – Final Thoughts & Audience Discussion

What is Seasoned & Unfiltered?

Seasoned & Unfiltered is where experience leads the conversation.
No buzzwords. No polish. Just straight talk from someone who’s lived enough life to know the difference between noise and substance.

Each episode explores business, leadership, culture, money, relationships, and the lessons you only learn the hard way. The wins, the mistakes, and the moments where reality shows up unannounced—it’s all on the table. Expect direct opinions, thoughtful reflection, and conversations that don’t bend just to make people comfortable.

Hosted by Hot Steveo, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the show is grounded in real-world experience shaped by service, discipline, and decades of perspective.

This isn’t advice pulled from a book or a trend.
It’s insight earned over time—seasoned by life and delivered unfiltered.

New episodes available wherever you get your podcasts.