A little o/t...unless you drive in Michigan...

Just got this e-mailed to me this morning...

On October 1, new fees, fines and surcharges aimed at generating
more revenue, at the expense of Michigan motorists, goes into effect.
Most drivers don't realize the full extent of the penalties coming
their way.

Public Act 165 has instituted new "Driver Responsibility Fees" which
amounts
to raised fines and surcharges on traffic tickets. If you have seven
points
on your drivers license, you will be paying $100 each year for two
years.
And, you will be paying an additional $50 per point for every point
above seven. If you're stopped and you can't present proof of insurance,
you must pay a $300 fine, even if you later prove you do have insurance.

If you receive an Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (OUIL), not
only do you have to pay your fine, a new $40 surtax, and license
reinstatement
fee, but you will also be getting a $1,000 bill each year for the next
two years (courtesy of Governor Granholm and Senator Gilbert). This
additional money will go to local governments and police, county sheriffs,
the State Police, the state General Fund and local fire
departments. This sets a dangerous precedent, as the agencies that
issue tickets will directly profit from them. "Guaranteeing police a share
of motorist fines will lead to further fine increases down the road,"
says Eric Skrum of the National Motorists Association. "It creates a
vested interest effect: more police revenue
equals more patrols, which equals more tickets, which equals more
revenue.
The State legislature and city governments are sure to put pressure on
police agencies to issue more tickets."

There will be serious unintended consequences. More tickets will make
more
motorists subject to the points tax. As more drivers face annual fees
of several hundred dollars to keep their licenses, the poorest will
respond by not paying the fees. "The legislature rammed this through
without investigating the impacts," says Skrum. The points tax was borrowed
from New Jersey, but NMA reports that "In New Jersey, they call this
program 'Debtor's Prison.' Poor drivers try driving without a license,
incur an even larger surcharge when they get caught, and go so far in
debt to the state they can never get a driver's license again. This
prevents them from holding a job, and effectively takes them out of the
economy." An increase in outcome.

The state cynically estimates that only a little over half of the
points taxes will ever be paid; the rest will be owed by persons unable to
pay and who will never be able to renew their licenses.
See below for a list of the fee increases and how much money will be
extracted from motorists for state purposes.


The National Motorists Association (NMA) was established in 1982 to
represent the interests and rights of North American motorists. It
operates at the national level and through a system of state chapters. The NMA
is supported through the contributions of individuals, families and
small businesses. For more information about the NMA, call 608-849-6000,
Email us at nma@motorists.org, or visit the NMA web site at
http://www.motorists.org.

Michigan Motorist Tax, Fine, and Fee Increases, 2003
Vehicle Fee Increases - Senate Bill 554, Public Act 152 of 2003
Make trailer plates permanent at roughly the former price of 5 to 7
years' registration
Increase all vehicle registrations by $3, unconstitutionally award
$2.25 to State Police.
Add late registration-renewal fee of $10.
Raise vehicle title fees by $3.
Raise auto dealer-license fees from $10 to $75.
Raise used-parts dealer-license fees from $100 to $160.
Raise CDL fee from $20 to $25.
Raise CDL correction fee from $6 to $18.
Raise original chauffeur's license from $20 to $35.
Raise original driver's license from $12 to $25.
Raise license renewal fee from $12 to $18.
Add license-renewal late fee of $7.
Raise minor's restricted license from $5 to $25.
Raise fees for duplicate licenses by $6.
Total revenue increase: $70.1 million/year.
Dispositions:
Michigan State Police $21.8 million/year
Secretary of State $18 million/year
Roads and transit $5.3 million/year
General Fund $25 million/year
After shifts of funds between the Secretary of State and the Michigan
Transportation Fund under SB 539, road and transit funds are increased
by approximately $24.9 million/year.
One-time advance from trailer registration fees (conversion to
permanent registrations).
Revenue: $108 million in 2004.
Disposition: Roads and transit
Points Tax - Senate Bill 509, Public Act 165 of 2003
Attach tax to driver-license points, $100 for the seventh point and $50
each for additional points. Notes: points remain on license for two
years. Points existing on Sept. 30, 2003 are not taxable.

Attach mandatory fines of $150 to $1,000 for certain traffic violations
(not subject to points tax), payable as surtaxes on driver's-license
fees in EACH of TWO years following conviction.
Official revenue estimate: Approx. $65 to 75 million/year realized on
billings of $124.7 million (shrinkage is due to drivers refusing to pay
and continuing to drive with suspended licenses, based on rates from
New Jersey). Note: House Fiscal Agency estimates and all published
media reports on P.A. 165 contain the same error: the mandatory fines
are described as
being imposed once only, and not in each of TWO years, so these
revenue estimates are low.

Disposition: First $65 million/year to the General Fund, additional
amounts for local fire departments in cities having state-owned buildings.
SB 436 &439, HB 4736 P.A's. 73 &97 of 2003 - Court-finance Package
Increase conviction surtax from $25 to $40 on
approximately 500,000 citations/year. Revenue increase: $7.5
million/year
Disposition: Court operations.

HB 4333, P.A. 34 of 2003 - Handicapped Parking Spaces
Raise fine for violation of handicapped parking spaces from $50 to
$150.

TOTAL MOTORIST TAX INCREASE: $147.6 million/year
AMOUNTS FOR ROADS AND TRANSIT:
$132.9 million in Fiscal 2004
Approximately $24.9 million/year after 2004




Brenda Herald-Sebastian, Director
Alpha 1 Advocacy Alliance
www.alpha1advocacy.org

 

The Government is our worst enemy. It will continue to take away our rights and freedoms. Its past time for another revolution.

 

I see where you're coming from, but really.. I try hard not to get tickets.. so I guess it's not a concern for me. Don't forget our state is in serious debt.. I don't blame them for all these changes. Plus, there isn't anything one can do about it, so I don't see the point in complaining. It's not like we get to vote on the issue..

 

Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you drive like an idiot, you will pay the price.

I'm all for harsher pentalities for drinking and driving too. Madatory jail time, even on first offense. A person will hopefully learn their lesson. Am I a prude? Hell no, nothing wrong with a cocktail but do it responsible.

I'm happy the police departments are reaping the benifits. They should. We need more police officers on the road.

 

Your state government is probably run by the Damndemocrats and the Fuckingrepublicans.
That is the problem.
Those two GANGS must be irradicated.
WORK for and with a third party that is in alignment with your ideals.
It probabaly should not include any rich corporation owners as it's "Leaders" (like Perot) otherwise it's just another of the Donkey and Elephant variety with a different name.
Good luck.

 

I agree on the dui fines. I've lost 2 freinds and almost lost my sister to drunks, so no punishment is enough right now. Maybe if the automatically took your car it would help, plus maybe a huge ($10,000?) fine?

 

lets just say this new change is gonna be EXPENSIVE for me

i hate michigan

 

Are they going to apply it retroactively to your existing driving record?
If so, that sounds very unconstitutional.

 

Yep. Big Brother's bringin us down. Damn the man. 2+2=5

 

i don't have any use for "drunk" drivers myself but it's getting so if you have 2 damn beers and try to drive your perfectly sober ass home you are breaking the damn law.

 

Yeah, about a month ago I was tapped in Novi, because I went over the railroad tracks on Novi Road between 10 mile and Grand River. There was an officer coming head on towards me, and saw my headlight go out. Pulled a sliding u turn, Dukes of Hazzard style, to get behind me and apprehend a perp for an out headlight. Did the "got your insurance" thing, reached above the visor for it. I had SEVEN years worth of proofs, but not the new one cause it renewed in September. Luckily, I got a warning. But a couple weeks later,it would have been $300 no questions asked. Even though I had seven years worth of proofs. Fuck Government, the bastards put us INTO debt, now WE have to get OURSELVES out, by paying more in bullshit fines and taxes. Agreed, there should be stiffer fines for criminal actions, DUIS, driving reckless, road rage, et al, but for stupid shit like not having a piece of paper... come on!

Sorry for the rant, but I am a "safe driver" rated AAA insured driver, my last ticket was for 5 over on a freeway on ramp (ever drove onto I-96 from Schoolcraft Road? Yeah, it's 35 until you're on the freeway, according to Redford Police) and that was 5 years ago. I don't think I should take responsibility for years of screwups in Lansing.

Jay

 

"Points existing on Sept. 30, 2003 are not taxable."

I read this to include, "on or before" this date are excluded.

 

Fuck the State Cop, I'm worried about the 19 year old girl, on a cell phone, drinking a Latte, doing her hair, driving the Powerstroke Excursion riding my ass and screaming "get the fuck outta my way!!" that I am worried about. With my luck, I would be the one to get the ticket, like you said, for impeding traffic. Cause my truck has rust and hers doesn't.

Jay

 

Oh yeah, most officers are the greatest guys to have around. But it is their bosses, Mayors, senators, Governors, etc. that I am afraid of!!

 

i'm so mad i could SPIT!!! or curse and swear and throw things. this is how WE are paying for the big raises the lawmakers gave themselves a couple years ago. they are talking about impossing all this crap on us and cutting funding to schools and what have you when it is THEM who is the problem. granted Granholm inherited this debt but nothing of what i've heard her doing about it i agree with. gee lets lay off more state workers that'll save us some money!! why not give up those fat raises you just got, THAT would save some poor smucks jobs and still save the money they want to save.

most of these new traffic related lawas are crap. i won't go through all the details as to why i think so, most rational people can figure that out on their own. the drunks SHOULD lose their license and their freedom.

i have a couple friends who are cops and good guys but like my mother (who used to work for the state police) said "MOST cops are assholes and thats why they became cops in the first place". i've seen too many jerkoff cops pull over the wrong guy thenrefuse to listen to reason and when you get to court the judge says "one of you is lying and i don't believe it is MY officer". heaven forbid YOUR OFFICER made a mistake!!!

this is such crap i'm moving!!! i'm starting to think my "punk" friends in high school were'nt so far off when they would allways say "fuck government, ANARCHY rules!!"


luckily i'm more reasonable than that but i agree we need a change. too many laws allready. whoever said we can't do anything about it so why complain (i think it was you Jim) well i'll tell you why. to rally the troops, get support and when it is time to vote for governor or whoever again we will tell them what we thought of the job they did with our votes! and let that be a leason to the next guy who wants the job. FOR THE PEOLE BY THE PEOPLE. majority (of those who VOTE) rules.

ok, i need to stop ranting and go build something.

 

I gots to agree with grimlock...I pay insurance and when drunk hand my keys to someone else. If my immature ass can be so responsible the they better be too!

My sister had an accident with an uninsured motorist(with a suspended license to boot) and who got the short end? Her and it wasn't here fault now she is w/o a car! Other driver a, fine they can't pay, restitution they can't pay and indefinite license suspension which stopped from driving before now didn't it? I saw the other driver last week tooling cross town in a death hoopty. Laws only work when people follow them.

Drunk killed two my friends (Friend and a fiance) on a bike....since it was only a couple of bikers he got 90 days...45 suspended and a measley fine. Who got the short end of that one...her three kids.

I say crack the whip where it needs cracked!

 

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No insurance? Fuck 'em. Tow the car right there. You lose it until it is insured. I've lost TWO cars to uninsured and unlicenced drivers. Both were hit and run....I chased them both down...and they both still owe me. And drunk driving deserves no goddamn slack. Whatever is done will never be enough. The GANG is right sometimes.

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this summer i took Roadstar's roadster for a ride up the Woodward with Mongo riding shotgun. i BARELY got up to the speed of traffic (the traffic that WAS'NT speeding) and i got pulled over. WHY? because i was a young guy in a hot rod and it was the weekend before the dream cruise. he said i was speeding but i was going slower than MOST of the cars around me PLUS i was in the middle lane with cars ALL around me so there was no possible way he got me on radar like he said he did. well Rudy had the insurance and registration in his POCKET a block up the street. the cop did'nt care and damn near impounded the car.

well i won in court. sort of. the judge reduced it to some other offense that had no points involved and i paid the $100 fine. that was all they wanted anyway was the money. i told the judge the whole story and how there was no possible way he got me on RADAR with all the traffic. he did'nt deny it and in fact had a look on his face that said "well, your right. you got me"

cops can and DO abuse their possitions and this will only encourage them to do so even more.

 

The funny thing about insurance proofs is within the next year or so MI police are going to get that system in their cars to know whether you are currently insured or not, so effectively you won't need a proof... hows that for pointless fines...

 

I have "nice cop" stories too.... stop driving drunk and drivin' like a dick and you won't get tickets.. I don't get what anyone is upset about.. I mean, I always have proof of ins., registration, etc.. don't drive drunk, don't drive like a jerk and you're ok right? The points aren't retroactive so no biggie there...

I agree w/Denise I'm very happy the cops are getting the money.. we need more, and they are not paid enough. Same with Firefighters.

 

you should watch your self around dream cruise time they'll be lookin' for revenue. you guy's should move. this country is slowly but surly getting back to the reason we left england in the first place (well my ancestors anyway) too much tax and too much law.

 

The LATEST solution to the,"budget crisis" is to empty out the jails so the state doesn't have to feed,clothe,and otherwise coddle these rapists,murderers,and drug dealers.The newspaper says the state could save 20K a year per inmate,the TV news says 30K.
It could be worse:you could all be living in Massachusetts where they had their own police force within the Dep't of Motor Vehicles.Without a doubt one of the most corrupt states in the known universe!With a murderer in the Senate and another a traitor who's trying desperately to become President.Yeah Michigan you could do a LOT worse!

 

[ QUOTE ]
ever drove onto I-96 from Schoolcraft Road? Yeah, it's 35 until you're on the freeway, according to Redford Police) and that was 5 years ago.

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Why don't I remember that story?!! That's ridiculous!

 

It's when Matt Hahn and I were roommates. I was on my way to Mom and Dads... Not like I was in a hurry

Jay

 

BUT DAMN IT ALL! i like driving like a jerk

 

Ms. Granholm the environmntalist wacko! I knew this would happen - who voted for her anyways.

 

Yeah but Mikey you have that "I didn't do it/wasn't me" look so you can get away w/it.. HAHA

 

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah but Mikey you have that "I didn't do it/wasn't me" look so you can get away w/it.. HAHA

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i wish. i can't get away with NOTHIN!!

 

I am a old man and I have never talked to a nice cop.They all are lieing assholes and then they wonder why nobody likes them.Dr J is right listen to his words. Thank You..