Groups Pressure Davis to Accept Auto Registration Fee Hike

kxtv ^

[chance33_98]

Groups Pressure Davis to Accept Auto Registration Fee Hike

Gov. Gray Davis is getting pressure from at least two groups to pass an unpopular vehicle license fee increase. Fellow Democrats in the legislature and law enforcement groups both say the increase is needed.

On Friday, Democratic Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson said if Davis wants big cuts in the budget, he'll have to approve the car registration fee increase.

The state is facing a potential $35 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months. The governor has proposed initial budget cuts of $12.8 billion. Assembly Democrats have intorduced legislation to increase the vehicle license fee from its current level of 0.65 percent of a vehicle's value to 2.0 percent. The rate hike would increase state revenues by an estimated $4 billion.

Law enforcement says the increase is necessary in order to preserve community safety. Without it, Sgt. Lou Fatur of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department predicts 14,000 firefighters and 13,000 police officers statewide could lose their jobs.

Under the vehicle license fee proposal, motorists could pay up to three times the amount they currently pay to register their cars.

[Riley]

What a load of nonsense. Gray Davis is salivating at *any* idea that takes money out of the hands of working Californians.

This article is pure sympatico media covering fire.

[Bogey78O]

the group...People Without Cars for Higher Taxes.

[chance33_98]

Gray Davis is salivating at *any* idea that takes money out of the hands of working Californians.

He probably suggested it.

[Riley]

Here's more:

Law enforcement says the increase is necessary in order to preserve community safety. Without it, Sgt. Lou Fatur of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department predicts 14,000 firefighters and 13,000 police officers statewide could lose their jobs.

No mention whatsoever of eliminating the legions of bureaucratic drones who contribute nothing to the state. Just cut the cops and firemen so we'll be scared straight into supporting whatever money grab the damn democrats want. I have seen this year after year and I am sick to death of it.

My family was here for many, many generations. We are definitely 'Old California'- and I am contemplating leaving the state.

[greydog]

Law enforcement says the increase is necessary in order to preserve community safety

Tax Dunkin'Donuts and Krispy Kreme instead. {...just kidding}

BTW, who is this guy named Law Enforcement?

[Abcdefg]

Why not call it a tax? I registered my car when I bought it and it doesn't need to be registered again until it changes ownership.
I don't own a car anyway, it's a state revenue stream.

[Lancey Howard]

Without it, Sgt. Lou Fatur of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department predicts 14,000 firefighters and 13,000 police officers statewide could lose their jobs.

LOFL!!!
Bend over California taxpayers - - here come the scumbag Democrats and their scare tactics. Heaven forfend they should cut back on their socialist welfare state in order to pay cops and firefighters.

[Lancey Howard]

He probably suggested it.

No doubt about it.
He orchestrated this whole charade so he can sigh and say, "Well, the state legislature is demanding it, so...."
Davis is a scumbag and a punk.

[goldstategop]

Now the police and fire fighters can't deliver better performance with a downsized work force. Oy vey!

[AD from SpringBay]

Maybe California will become a liberal zoo / game preserve for our nation and people can go there to see any and every abberant socialist scheme come to fruition and its ultimate result - like having a broken budget with a bunch of sucking piglets whining when the nipple dries up.

[ladyinred]

The increase is not needed. Less wild spending by the rats in legislature is needed. Davis would have signed this bill already had the election not been coming up. This so called pressure is just a cover for him. He can' t wait to sign this now that the election is over.

[Riley]

While I'm at it, I used to work for a company that held a state contract. I would be in and out of state offices all day long, sometimes 3 days a week.

There are people who work for the state who do good and necessary things. There are also many offices where there are 8 people on duty. Five of them are sleeping on the job, and the remaining 3 don't have enough to do. Even then, it takes them five minutes to get around to coming over to you and seeing what you want.

Geoff Metcalf used to be a host on KST Radio in Sacramento. I remember one day listening to him when this very subject came up. He reminded state workers that the people were their customers and ought to be treated as such. I remember state workers calling in and telling him that they didn't care what the people wanted, didn't owe them anything, and that Geoff could kiss their a--.
I've met Geoff on several occasions, and he is the most stand-up guy in the media that I have ever met. I couldn't have been more FURIOUS at that.

[marsh2]

Currently, the Vehicle License Fees go to fund the Counties general fund. They were historically the county's tax from its ability to tax personal property. Then the state intercepted and got between the tax and its final dispersal to the counties.

In many cases, the VLF currently comprises 25% or more of the counties' General Funds. General Funds are what fund basic fire and police services. In our County, General (or "discretionary" funds) account for from 6-10% of the total budget. The rest of the budget is earmarked by the state legislature for specific pet programs.

Davis proposes to eliminate Williamson Act suvbventions (in our rural county almost $800,000.) He also proposes to devolve much of the administation of social services to the counties with no additional funds.

The police and fire people are correct in the need to increase the VLF to backfill what the Governor is taking from the County budgets. Unfortunately, he also proposes to take the VLF. That means the increase would go to the State and do nothing to further the funding of basic local services.

[henderson field]

It's the old story of shutting down the most visible services. Short of money? Close the library!

[Brimack34]

It is too late for the Grayout payoff!! If you did not pay him before the election you are SOS.

[Uncle Hal]

Every time there is a proposal to cut back on goverment expenses the local municipalities immediately say they will have to cut back on police and fire protection. What hogwash. The communities can cut waste in other areas with out cutting the fire and police budgets.

[wayoverontheright]

Groups Pressure Davis to Accept Auto Registration Fee Hike

What Democrat in the modern era ever needed pressure to accept a tax increase?

[Joe Hadenuf]

Anyone one heard anything about vehicles worth $5000 or less will be exempt? We heard this two days ago. Is this being considered?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

To the list!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register