RICHMOND--As the legal challenges to the unpopular "abusive driving fees" mount, state Sen. Edd Houck says the fees should be scrapped altogether.
Houck has asked the legislative services department in the General Assembly to draft a bill that would repeal the fees. He said he'll file the bill as soon as it's ready, possibly as early as this week.
"I don't think it can be amended, I don't think it could be changed, I think we need to get rid of the whole thing and start again," Houck said. "We ought to get rid of it, get this out of the courts, and get this thing cleared up and get away from it. I don't think we can fix it, I think we ought to just get rid of the blasted thing."
Houck's bill would repeal only the fee portion of the transportation package, he said.
The driving fees--also called "abuser fees" and "civil remedial fees"--have garnered a huge amount of opposition since they went into effect July 1.
The fees increase financial penalties for criminal driving offenses--offenders could receive fines of more than $2,000 for DUI, $3,000 for felony convictions, $750 for driving on a suspended license, and so on.
for what offenses were the new fees intended?
Proponents--which included the governor, the House Republican leadership and many legislators--say they intended the fees to apply to serious, egregious driving offenses. But the way the bill is written, it could conceivably also apply to lesser offenses that fall under the reckless-driving statute.
That has gotten the public angry, as has another issue with the fees--they apply only to Virginia drivers. When the fees were going through the legislative process last winter, some variations had the fees applying to out-of-state drivers as well. But Gov. Tim Kaine amended that out of the bill, because it was impossible to enforce. Lawmakers supported his amendment.
the issue has found its way into the courts
Houck says that getting rid of the fees altogether is the best solution to both the lawsuits and the thousands of complaints lawmakers are hearing from the public.
"This is the worst I've ever experienced in my 24 years, in terms of the hostile, negative reaction to something that's gone on in the legislature," Houck said, referring to the phone calls, e-mails and angry voters coming up to him in person. "This is across the board. They're just really, really turned off. People are totally turned off by this whole concept, so I think the best approach is just repeal it, get rid of it."
could the high fees result in safer driving?
Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner said yesterday that the governor wants to see whether the fees actually lead to safer driving--something he hopes to learn over the next six months before the legislative session.
Oh Boy...Grandstanding for the press(posted by
werstenz
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I am impressed I am sure I will have to vote for such a concerned official. All the work at yet we still have the legislation. Distance equals reelection?
what a bunch of cry babies!(posted by
tiredofidiots
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
This legislation was put into place to raise money for our roads there is no doubt about that. however, that doesn't mean it's automatically a bad idea. I dont care if your rich poor or in between try to drive safer you horrible drivers. that is the point here. This law needs to be changed to find a way to hit the out of staters as well, and clearly define what offenses should be changed. but please drive normally and you won't have a problem.
No Scapegoat taxes!(posted by
CraigBuck
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I never thought I would agree with Edd Houck on anything but this time he got it right. Repeal this mess!
The politicians didn't have the courage to cut spending or raise taxes so they looked for a scapegoat to pay for the transportation package. Its a classic liberal trick to tax a few to pay for everyone figuring the few don't have enough votes to make a difference. Too bad some of our good Republicans fell into this trap as well.
Those stats are prolly wrong Fred(posted by
Angst4u
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I just stopped writing as many Virginians tickets in July because I felt these fees were unfair to my fellow Virginians. I am not alone as many other LEO's I know feel the same way as I do. I will say that I showed no mercy to out of staters but your 80% is flawed. I would say that I enjoyed my cruisers AC 80% more this past month than last year.
"people who are living right on the edge of financial catastrophe"(posted by
CaptainObvious
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
these are the very people who ought to take extra special care to drive safely until this all pans out. or maybe drive safely to begin with, so as to not damage their current aotomobiles. heck, we all ought to drive more safely for these same reasons. why must is always be those on the edge of financial catastrophe that we need to consider?
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