Debate Over Eliminating the State Car Tax

The May 11 column by Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) about eliminating the automobile license fees because the state has so much excess money can’t help but bring a response.

When we no longer see any articles about the schools needing books or repairs, no longer have any roads needing paving, no longer get mail from organizations needing money for medical research and on and on, we can say that the state has too much money.

RICHARD P. MAY

Los Angeles

* It’s a shame the attempt to get rid of the excessive auto taxes is shaping up as a “wedge” issue, with Republicans always for tax cuts and Democrats always wanting to throw money at education, child care, etc.

Californians pay the highest prices in the nation for owning an auto. Consider that our gas taxes are very high, and we pay a 10%-20% mileage penalty because of the anti-smog formulation recently foisted upon us.

Consider that we pay among the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, largely because the Legislature has failed to pass effective laws to control uninsured motorists. Consider that we must smog test each vehicle every two years in order to re-register it, and the price of this testing is going up.

Consider that we pay 7.75% sales tax when we buy a car, and if we keep a car 10 years we pay another 13% in auto ownership taxes and you begin to get the picture. Relief from this onerous total burden should be at the top of the agenda for everyone.

WILLIAM BRADSHAW

San Diego

* The proposal to eliminate vehicle license fees is a perfect example of why local government budgets should not be subject to state control.

Eliminating the fee will put essential local services at risk. These fees are among the few no-strings-attached revenues California cities receive. Three-fourths of discretionary city revenues go to police and fire services and the loss of these revenues will have immediate impact. Take the working-class Latino community of Cudahy, for example. Vehicle license fees make up a quarter of Cudahy’s general fund, half of which pays for the sheriff’s contract.

This proposal may make great politics, but it sure makes lousy policy. It’s a perfect example of why we need to get the state out of local government’s pocketbook.

MICHAEL G. COLANTUONO

City Attorney of Barstow, Cudahy

and La Habra Heights

* I am a liberal, but favor the cut in auto registration fees for completely different reasons than the Republicans. The excessive fees currently charged have driven many Californians to register their cars in Oregon or other states that have low fees.

I do not advocate eliminating this tax; instead, I propose that it be converted to a gasoline tax that all Californians will pay, including those who are not very honest.

THOMAS R. ODELL

Long Beach