State Rep. Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, as co-chairman of the Legislative Transportation and Funding Task Force, wants to raise registration fees on electric cars to $200 and hybrid cars to $75, in an effort to raise money for highway maintenance. This effort is directly out of the Americans for Prosperity advocacy group founded by the conservative billionaire brothers David H. and Charles G. Koch, whose wealth comes from the oil business.
Our energy-conscious family has invested in thermal and PV solar panels, increased home insulation and energy-efficient vehicles. We ceased using our wood-burning fireplace and outdoor bread-pizza oven when informed of the particulate pollution that is created.
Why not raise highway maintenance dollars by raising registration fees based on the weight of the vehicles? After all, the heavier vehicles cause more wear and tear on highways and bridges. My electric plug-in car weighs less than 2,000 pounds and my husband’s Prius weighs 2,500 pounds. The three highest-selling vehicles in the U.S., all pickup trucks, weigh 4,000 pounds to 7,500 pounds unloaded. Perhaps some fee should be imposed on the huge cargo rigs that use our Interstate as well.
Please stop trying to punish consumers who are trying to do the right thing.
Christine B. Helfrich, Millcreek
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