Jon T. Haugen for Senate, 18th District (D)
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The Reflector, 14-20 February 2007, By Marvin F. Case, Publisher
Auto tab fees might go up
(Note: Law signed to raise car tabs by $20)
"Legislating is kind of like making sausage, you do not really want to see
what it is made from."
That was the explanation offered last week by State Sen. Joe Zarelli
(R-Ridgefield) on his sponsorship of Senate Bill 5767 that would allow
local governments to increase motor vehicle tabs from $30 to $50 without
a vote of the people.
Under current law, voters must approve any change to the long-sought
and hard-fought $30 lid on vehicle registrations.
"When I found out that the transportation people wanted to increase
weight fees as well as tab fees," said Zarelli, "I agreed to sign on their bill
if they would eliminate the weight fee addition. It was out of courtesy only
that I signed on to the bill. I will not be supporting the effort. At least my
effort keeps it limited to up to a $20 (additional) tab only."
Zarelli had agreed to write a column for this newspaper explaining his
sponsorship of the bill, then decided against doing that because, he said,
he wanted to wait to see if the bill would likely become law. He later
withdrew his support for the measure.
The bill is not something people would expect Zarelli to support. He and
fellow Republicans generally oppose tax and fee increases, and if nothing
else, they want the people to decide on tax hikes. This bill runs counter
to that philosophy by allowing county commissioners and city councils to
enact a tax increase without a public vote.
Zarelli's fellow southwest Washington Republican Sen. Don Benton
spared no criticism of Zarelli for his sponsorship of the bill, and called for
the public to contact Zarelli for an explanation. Benton was instrumental
in getting the $30 auto tab fee preserved in state law.
"I will not be voting on it in the end," said Zarelli. He didn't say he would
vote against it; rather, he said his plan was to not vote on it. Hard to
imagine someone sponsoring a bill and then voting against it. That's
really funny looking sausage.
Zarelli also noted that "They (Democrats) have the votes to do what they
want, so I will be doing what I can to make it as painless as possible."
Zarelli sends out an electronic newsletter with information about
numerous bills. SB 5767 was not included in his weekly newsletter. One
would think that a bill dealing with something as sensitive as an increase
in auto registration fees would qualify for his newsletter, especially when
he is a sponsor of the measure.
The public may wish to offer their thoughts on SB 5767 which would give
city councils and county commissioners the authority to tax every
registered vehicle an extra $20 without a vote of the people. Comments
may be sent via the Legislative Hotline, (800) 562-6000. Zarelli's office
may be reached at (360) 786-7634, and Benton at (360) 786-7632.
Just why is this change being sought? Because city and state officials
believe the public would not vote to increase license tab fees if such a
proposal were on the ballot. They are right about that. The public is not
about to turn around and vote for an increase.
It's another case of government officials believing they know what is best
and the public is just plain wrong. If nothing else, the public should
monitor legislative action on this bill and note who supports passage.
Just who is running the show, anyway? Aren't the people supposed to be
in charge of government?
.
Auto tab fees might go up
(Note: Law signed to raise car tabs by $20)
"Legislating is kind of like making sausage, you do not really want to see
what it is made from."
That was the explanation offered last week by State Sen. Joe Zarelli
(R-Ridgefield) on his sponsorship of Senate Bill 5767 that would allow
local governments to increase motor vehicle tabs from $30 to $50 without
a vote of the people.
Under current law, voters must approve any change to the long-sought
and hard-fought $30 lid on vehicle registrations.
"When I found out that the transportation people wanted to increase
weight fees as well as tab fees," said Zarelli, "I agreed to sign on their bill
if they would eliminate the weight fee addition. It was out of courtesy only
that I signed on to the bill. I will not be supporting the effort. At least my
effort keeps it limited to up to a $20 (additional) tab only."
Zarelli had agreed to write a column for this newspaper explaining his
sponsorship of the bill, then decided against doing that because, he said,
he wanted to wait to see if the bill would likely become law. He later
withdrew his support for the measure.
The bill is not something people would expect Zarelli to support. He and
fellow Republicans generally oppose tax and fee increases, and if nothing
else, they want the people to decide on tax hikes. This bill runs counter
to that philosophy by allowing county commissioners and city councils to
enact a tax increase without a public vote.
Zarelli's fellow southwest Washington Republican Sen. Don Benton
spared no criticism of Zarelli for his sponsorship of the bill, and called for
the public to contact Zarelli for an explanation. Benton was instrumental
in getting the $30 auto tab fee preserved in state law.
"I will not be voting on it in the end," said Zarelli. He didn't say he would
vote against it; rather, he said his plan was to not vote on it. Hard to
imagine someone sponsoring a bill and then voting against it. That's
really funny looking sausage.
Zarelli also noted that "They (Democrats) have the votes to do what they
want, so I will be doing what I can to make it as painless as possible."
Zarelli sends out an electronic newsletter with information about
numerous bills. SB 5767 was not included in his weekly newsletter. One
would think that a bill dealing with something as sensitive as an increase
in auto registration fees would qualify for his newsletter, especially when
he is a sponsor of the measure.
The public may wish to offer their thoughts on SB 5767 which would give
city councils and county commissioners the authority to tax every
registered vehicle an extra $20 without a vote of the people. Comments
may be sent via the Legislative Hotline, (800) 562-6000. Zarelli's office
may be reached at (360) 786-7634, and Benton at (360) 786-7632.
Just why is this change being sought? Because city and state officials
believe the public would not vote to increase license tab fees if such a
proposal were on the ballot. They are right about that. The public is not
about to turn around and vote for an increase.
It's another case of government officials believing they know what is best
and the public is just plain wrong. If nothing else, the public should
monitor legislative action on this bill and note who supports passage.
Just who is running the show, anyway? Aren't the people supposed to be
in charge of government?
.