Not satisfied with controlling how citizens light our homes or care for our animals, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine now wants to increase the taxes—excuse me, “fees”—on our cars. Amended yesterday, AB 837 will increase registration fees on all cars 10,000 pounds or less and based on the carbon dioxide emissions of the car. Based on the car’s weight, the fees will increase from $5 to $25. Based on the carbon dioxide emissions, the rate will increase $10 to $25.
This bill will have a particular impact on families. After all, it’s the gas-guzzling, CO2- emitting SUVs and minivans used to cart kids around town that will be targeted by this tax increase.
Once again government will be taking more valuable dollars from families to then be spent by the irresponsible, spendthrift politicians in Sacramento. Families are already being pinched by the skyrocketing gas prices. Instead of raising the taxes on our cars, legislators should decrease (or abolish) gas taxes to help out families and stimulate our state’s economy.
And how about the safety of families? By continually increasing the taxes of larger vehicles, the state will literally drive out the larger, safer cars that many families purchase. Instead of the tank-like Suburban, parents will be driving light-weight, lower-emission-producing Barbie cars.
When it comes to controlling the lives of citizens, authoritarians like Lloyd Levine can’t let family safety or respect for taxpayer dollars get in the way of their political agenda.