According to a source in the know about this, it has recently come to my attention that Governor Kaine has restructured the "Abuser Fees" to apply only to residents of Virginia. Let me get this right. Is Governor Kaine under the impression that only Virginians travel Virginia's highways? I'd be curious to see recent statistics from the VSP regarding out of state traffic offenders. At any rate, to give the few readers of this blog a basis for comparison, I'll provide the links to the versions of the bill as structured by the Governor and his able staff, the House Conference version and the one ultimately passed by the House.
04/04/2007 – Governor’s Substitute – Applies only to Virginians
§ 46.2-206.1. Imposition of certain additional fees on certain drivers.
B. The civil remedial fees established by this section shall be assessed on any resident of Virginia operating a motor vehicle on the highways of Virginia, including persons to whom Virginia driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, or learner's permits have been issued pursuant to this title; and persons operating motor vehicles without licenses or whose license has been revoked or suspended.
02/24/2007 – General Assembly Conference Report – Applies to Residents and Non-Residents
§ 46.2-206.1. Imposition of certain additional fees on certain drivers.
B. The civil remedial fees established by this section shall be assessed on any resident of Virginia operating a motor vehicle on the highways of Virginia, including persons to whom Virginia driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, or learner's permits have been issued pursuant to this title; persons operating motor vehicles without licenses or whose license has been revoked or suspended; and persons operating motor vehicles with a license issued by a jurisdiction outside Virginia.
02/06/2007 – House Passed Version – Applies to Residents and Non-Residents
§ 46.2-206.1. Imposition of certain additional fees on certain drivers.
B. The civil remedial fees established by this section shall be assessed on any resident of Virginia operating a motor vehicle on the highways of Virginia, including persons to whom Virginia driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, or learner's permits have been issued pursuant to this title; persons operating motor vehicles without licenses or whose license has been revoked or suspended; and persons operating motor vehicles with a license issued by a jurisdiction outside Virginia.
Note the date on the Governor's substitute. Two months. This is nothing more than a premeditated highway robbery. Just for kicks, I'll include an article from a third political party that should be echoed throughout the Old Dominion.
Washington, DC – The newly instituted driving penalties in Virginia are an ironfisted approach to reducing bad driving, says the Libertarian Party of the United States. “The new Virginia driving fees are some of the most outrageous penalties in the United States for driving offenses,” says Shane Cory, Executive Director of the Libertarian National Committee headquartered in Washington D.C. “The state of Virginia has instituted a policy of tyranny on the roadways.”
There you have it my friends. Another triumph for the Kaine administration. This triumph is consistent with this Administration's goals of STICKING IT to citizens of the Commonwealth. Thanks Governor Timmy!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment