Getting Hosed

The year 1980….Jimmy Carter is president. Magic Johnson is a rookie with the Lakers. Most of the cast of “Gossip Girl” has yet to be born. Gasoline costs slightly more than $1 a gallon.

And, studios and TV networks reimburse actors 30 cents a mile when they must use their personal vehicles.

Fast forward to 2008… It’s four, soon to be five, presidents later. Magic Johnson is in the NBA Hall of Fame. The cast members of “Gossip Girl” are adults. Gasoline shoots past $4 a gallon into unchartered territory, reaching $5 in some areas.

And, studios and TV networks continue to reimburse actors 30 cents a mile when they must use their personal vehicles.

The world has changed a lot in the past 28 years while our mileage reimbursement from the AMPTP is stuck in a time warp.

Here are some examples of other prices that have soared while our rate is stuck. Note that the IRS-approved rate is now 58.5 cents a mile, nearly twice what the AMPTP believes it should pay.