Repeal Abusive Driver Fees

Going, going, gone. Almost. On Wednesday, January 23, a key Senate committee approved a measure to end Virginia's unpopular fees. The day before, the House of Delegates approved its own repeal of the fees.

It was amazing to see nearly every lawmaker blast the fees, even most voted for that massive transportation last year that included them! That's what happens when some 200,000 Virginia residents sign a petition. Politically, being on the other side is as unwise as spitting in the wind.

The fees were designed to bring in 60-million dollars. A 1.5 cent increase in the gasoline tax could make up that money, but the last time a gas tax increased passed Virginia's General Assembly was more than 20 years ago, so that proposal may not fly.

Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who was an architect of the abusive fees had proposed 'fixing' the problem by adding out-of-state voters (the fees not applying to out-of-staters was the biggest problem with the fees) and getting rid of some of the less serious offenses, but the House tossed his proposal asidelike yesterday's news. That's when he joined the vast majority and voted for repeal.
Albo tells me he is NOT in favor of a gas tax proposal because the Democrats will try for a 'huge increase'.

Lawmakers will continue to debate where to find the money to replace the funds lost.