So Much for THAT Theory!
By: Lowell
Published On: 12/5/2007 11:46:00 PM
A new report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) concludes that "Virginia's abusive driver fee program is not making the roads safer overall, despite hopes that the hefty penalties would force motorists to behave." So much for all the blather from right wingers trying to defend this program as all about cracking down on bad drivers.
The bottom line is clear: the abuser fees were a too-clever-by-half idea by Republicans who didn't want to use the T-A-X word but who knew they needed money to pay for transportation improvements. Now, we've got the worst of all worlds, but most likely not for long -- it's highly likely the abuser fees will be scrapped or seriously amended this spring. So much for that theory, and so much for that idea!
Comments
i called it!!! (pvogel - 12/6/2007 1:35:14 AM)
any stupid republican scheme(TR) will fall apart in the end.
Virginia drivers get 3000$ fines, out of state drivers do not... for the same offense.
Leads to traffic driving different speeds.
leads to death and destruction.
sorry for my extra venon this evening... I just watched SICKO on dvd, and I am suitably outraged.
Unfortunately (leftofcenter - 12/6/2007 9:10:39 AM)
we didn't hang this around the repubs neck like a porkchop during the election a few weeks ago. If the candidates had pounded over and over how ridiculous this was perhaps we'd have picked up more seats. But of course Kaine is in the middle of it because he supports it still.
Every rethug I talk to says it's gone. I'm not so sure about that.
It's a loser (Eric - 12/6/2007 10:55:45 AM)
that's for sure. But because it's backed by Gov Kaine and various peddling politicians, I'm not sure they'll be doing much to fix it. Furthermore, as another comment pointed out (and a point of frustration for me) is that this issue had very little impact on the actual election - so they're not exactly shaking in their shoes at the thought of keeping it.
Look for little BS changes like including out-of-state drivers. While that might provide a better sense of fairness, it doesn't really address the core problem. This bill is crap and needs to be scrap.
Your last line (leftofcenter - 12/6/2007 3:36:29 PM)
there needs to be plastered across the front of every paper and blog in this state.
Fat chance I know. This thing will fade away slowly-they might add out of state drivers but then they have to figure out how to enforse it and how to collect the $. And we ALL know we're not exactly working with economists and genius' in Richmond.