Thank Goodness!
By Tom Holden
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 29, 2008
The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority today when it ruled that the taxes and fees it was authorized to collect by the General Assembly are unconstitutional.
The court addressed the Northern Virginia authority, but the law that was ruled unconstitutional also applies to […]

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Earlier this afternoon, Virginia’s House voted to repeal the Abuser Driver fees bill (HB649) by a vote of 95-2. Now on to the Senate.

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I’ve got to give credit where credit’s due. Republicans last session worked with Democrats to pass a Transportation package allowing Northern Virginia governments to “levy a surtax on office and retail buildings. The state-brokered plan allows local governments to impose a surcharge of up to 25 cents for each $100 in assessed valuation on commercial […]

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Delegate Bill Janis has requested that the Governor use his executive authority to halt government agencies from collecting the abuser fees until the General Assembly has time in January to repeal the law. The story was covered by Bob Gibson with the Daily Progress.
We need more conservatives willing to take this stand.
UPDATE: Here […]

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Abuser Fees. The law that everyone hates. Everyone, that is, except the misguided legislators who passed it. Now I cannot help but be amazed as lawmakers struggle to defend the indefensible.
In a recent opinion column in the Journal Press, Delegate Rob Wittman joined the growing list of delegates trying to convince his constituents […]

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Recently, Delegate Dave Albo, one of the primary architects of the Abuser Fees legislation, sent a letter to the voters in his district who signed the on-line petition against the law. The response to Albo’s letter (printed below) was forwarded to Publius II by a Republican who lives in Albo’s district in Fairfax County. […]

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In addition to the two courts who have ruled the abuser fees unconstitutional, the Washington Post had a good article on how dissatisfied judges are with this bad policy. I encourage you to check it out in its entirety. Here are a few excerpts:
Armed With Checkbooks and Excuses, First Casualties of Va. Fees […]

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The abusive driver fees are facing another court challenge, this time in Northern Va. A Navy veteran is providing the challenge opportunity after he was pulled over for going 75 in a 55 mph zone. Though this is only the driver’s second speeding ticket, he faces a fine of $1,050.
Proponents of the fees argue that […]

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A Henrico judge has ruled the abusive driver fees unconsitutional. (Read story here) This only applies to Henrico, but as a Henrico resident, I’m pleased! The ruling will be appealed, but in the mean time perhaps other counties will follow suit.
The fees have only been in place a month and already a […]

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The uproar over abusive driver fees continues as Gov. Kaine and others repeat their plan to wait until the fall to see the effect of the fees before taking any action.
On Saturday the Daily Press had an article noting that Kaine would consider allowing reimbursals for some paid fees in the event that legislation were […]

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