Ohio Gov says he will drop late fee, if they can find some other way to raise money

[The Straight Story]

Governor says plan to drop BMV late fee must be 'budget-neutral'

Gov. Ted Strickland says he'd consider a proposal to eliminate a new $20 fee that the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles charges people who are late registering their vehicle or renewing their driver's license - but only if the plan includes a way to replace the lost revenue.

A bill has been introduced in the Ohio House to eliminate the $20 fee, which generated $6.4 million for the State Highway Patrol in the first three months it was in place, in response to complaints that the fee is punitive and a money-making tool.

Asked about the effort today, Strickland said, "If there are those in the legislature who want to change, then they need to bring forth a plan, a plan that is budget-neutral as to how to best accomplish that."

The initial transportation budget last year called for a $10 late with with other revenue provisions including an increase in annual registration costs, but the those provisions were removed and the late fee doubled instead.

http://fwix.com/columbus/share/9349cc4216/Governor_says_plan_to_drop_BMV_late_fee_must_be_budget-neutral

So....They put something in place to punish people for not registering 'on time', only it is not to entice people to register earlier it is to make more money (ie - they know some people have pay issues and being on time, so they use that to puff up the coffers). They are already fines in place if you are caught driving past the grace period - but they were not catching enough people doing that (maybe because most weren't).

IIRC you have a week (might be 14 days) after your birthday to re-register your plates, renew drivers' license. If You get paid twice a month (like many I know do) or you had to the mortgage this check and need to wait until next, well you now have to pay more even if you don't drive the vehicle at all during that time.

[rgbecker]

1. Shucks! I was hoping it was for the library....I'd bring back all the books I've been holding.

Guess I'll have to wait for amnesty week.

[roseBudd]

2. I thought it was to get people to the BMV before the end of the month so the lines would not be long

[HBravo]

3. That's cheap check out NC Fee's. nt

[BunkerHill24]

4. Ohio has had a major population explosion in 2000 to 2008.

Somalis, Kenyan, and many recent immigrants made to Ohio their home; an attractive place for new comers, indeed. All these new comers have to have had drivers' licenses, hence a boost to the local economy. But that seem to be dying out in the sense that all the manufacturing jobs are gone. These immigrants are now moving to places like rural Oregon, and Washington State.

[LiberalFighter]

5. Why not compromise?

How often do they increase the license fees?

They should IMO raise fees every 3 to 5 years. Same for late fees. Sure I would want to pay the least I have to.

[lib2DaBone]

6. Your Government.. here to help you...

Lose your job.. your house..can't renew your license? Too bad.. fork over some more money.

I just renewd my license and registration.. the cost has TRIPLED in one year.

"When the going gets tough.. the tough raise taxes." Thanks a lot.

[Travis_0004]

7. How is there a late fee at all for a drivers license?

I don't need a drivers license, I only need one to drive.

I also don't need to have license plates, unless I am using my car.

If I want to let my plates expire for 6 months, then I should be allowed to, provided my vehicle is not on the road, and if it is on the road, then I deserve a ticket. In my opinion, there is no way either one can be late, but there is a possibility to get in trouble for driving without a license or license plates, in which case I would get a ticket.