This Tax Has Possibilities Locally

[BoyGenius]

Imagine if we implemented this tax in Southern Maryland to fix the budget?

"After her sport utility vehicle sideswiped a van in early February, Shirley Kimel was amazed at how quickly a handful of police officers and firefighters in Winter Haven, Fla., showed up. But a real shock came a week later, when a letter arrived from the city billing her $316 for the cost of responding to the accident."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/business/11fees.html

[Lenny]

Wisconsin’s governor, James E. Doyle, has proposed a charge on slaughterhouses that would be levied on the basis of each animal slaughtered. He also wants to more than triple the application charge for an elk-hunting license to $10, an idea that has raised eyebrows because the elk population in the state is currently too small to allow an actual hunting season.

Yeah, I'm sure these will go a long way in Maryland.

[BoyGenius]

Originally Posted by Lenny

Yeah, I'm sure these will go a long way in Maryland.

I don't agree with all the taxes in that article, but I would support the at fault car accident fees rather than more property tax increases, or to at least help off-set the increases. And for enforcement, which they mention is a problem, they should not re-new the drivers license till paid.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by BoyGenius

I don't agree with all the taxes in that article, but I would support the at fault car accident fees rather than more property tax increases, or to at least help off-set the increases. And for enforcement, which they mention is a problem, they should not re-new the drivers license till paid.

Huh. I'm with you there, 100%.

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

Huh. I'm with you there, 100%.

If implemented, there has to be a limit on the number of cops allowed to respond to a simple accident. I've seen cops responding with light ablazing like there was a double-coupons sale at Krispy-Kreme. We can't have every cop in the county responding to a fender bender. Insurance rates wouldn't stand it.

Also remember, your individual insurance rates will skyrocket if the local communities follow through and implement these fees.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by BoyGenius

I don't agree with all the taxes in that article, but I would support the at fault car accident fees rather than more property tax increases, or to at least help off-set the increases. And for enforcement, which they mention is a problem, they should not re-new the drivers license till paid.

I hate to be such a cynic, but...

The first time someone can't (or won't) pay the fine and loses their license, they will get a lawyer to convince a judge that they need to drive in order to work and provide for their children. Why do you think people with multiple DUIs are still on the road?

So while it sounds good in theory, once the lawyers get their hands on it it will become just another worthless law that nobody follows because there is no penalty.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Lenny

If implemented, there has to be a limit on the number of cops allowed to respond to a simple accident. I've seen cops responding with light ablazing like there was a double-coupons sale at Krispy-Kreme. We can't have every cop in the county responding to a fender bender. Insurance rates wouldn't stand it.

Also remember, your individual insurance rates will skyrocket if the local communities follow through and implement these fees.

OK. Then allow me to expand on that. I would be interested in some sort of cost based approach to having guilty parties pick up some of the costs of their guiltiness.

[BOP]

Originally Posted by BoyGenius

Imagine if we implemented this tax in Southern Maryland to fix the budget?

"After her sport utility vehicle sideswiped a van in early February, Shirley Kimel was amazed at how quickly a handful of police officers and firefighters in Winter Haven, Fla., showed up. But a real shock came a week later, when a letter arrived from the city billing her $316 for the cost of responding to the accident."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/business/11fees.html

I about choked on my coffee when I first read that.

It sounds like all these mayors and governors are getting ready for Obama's militia (civilian army), because it's going to take an army to follow all those violations.

Either that, or we were worried about the increased militarization of the police for naught.

[BOP]

Originally Posted by BoyGenius

I don't agree with all the taxes in that article, but I would support the at fault car accident fees rather than more property tax increases, or to at least help off-set the increases. And for enforcement, which they mention is a problem, they should not re-new the drivers license till paid.

The problem in Maryland, at least, is that Demonrats are in charge. They never met a way of taking your hard-earned money they didn't like.

Originally Posted by BoyGenius View Post
I don't agree with all the taxes in that article, but I would support the at fault car accident fees rather than more property tax increases, or to at least help off-set the increases. And for enforcement, which they mention is a problem, they should not re-new the drivers license till paid.

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

Huh. I'm with you there, 100%.

But that would mean Police and Courts would actually to investigative work, and assign blame, to be challenged in court for a Judge to decide finality ... only to be appealed .... tying up the courts time ( unless serious property damage or death is involved )

as it stands now, you get a form from the Police and told to notify your insurance company

they do not investigate anymore and assign fault