Free Republic

Part of a fee that motorists pay to a road and bridge fund is being used for transit projects across Colorado, and Senate Republicans don't believe that's right. As a result, the Colorado Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill that would change that. ... "The intent of this bill is to ensure that the money paid by citizens for the improvement of roads and bridges when they pay their vehicle registration fees is actually used for roads and bridges," Neville said. "The definition of a fee is that it should be utilized for those who are paying the...

RICHMOND -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday that the public's response to legislative gridlock on transportation improvements prompted him to renew his proposals to increase vehicle registration fees and the sales tax on new cars. Anti-tax Republicans, who control the House of Delegates, rejected the proposals during the extended session last year. Mr. Kaine, a Democrat, will ask lawmakers to reconsider during the 46-day election-year session that begins Wednesday.

<p>On Friday, the first day that renewal forms containing sharply higher vehicle registration fees were mailed out, Rep. Darrell Issa vowed to cancel the increase if elected governor.</p> <p>"On October 8, I will repeal Gray Davis' actions," said Issa, R-Vista, during a campaign stop at Dan Gamel's RV Center in Fresno. "It's wrong. It's unfair. It's illegal and it represents both the failure of Gray Davis and the mess he's made in Sacramento."</p>

<p>Although it's a key component of the latest budget proposal from the Senate Republican leader, a $4 billion hike in taxes paid by car owners has been targeted by the GOP for a court challenge, officials said Thursday.</p> <p>The tripling of the vehicle license fee, which would cost the average car owner about $130 annually, is expected to be triggered in the coming days by Gov. Gray Davis. Along with most Democrats and at least some Republicans, Davis says state law allows him to return the tax to 1998 levels if cash reserves fall to dangerously low levels.</p>