Bills to forgive Michigan’s controversial driver responsibility fees have cleared a state House committee but they’re opposed by Governor Rick Snyder’s Treasury department.
The fees are paid by people convicted of traffic offenses on top of their fines. They were adopted by the Legislature in 2003 to help keep the budget balanced during the recession.
Most of the fees will never be collected, but they still generate 80 million dollars a year for the state.
But House Speaker Tom Leonard says balancing the budget is no reason to continue charging fees that he considers unfair.
“The Number One issue for me with this is ensuring that the 350 thousand people that are currently without a driver’s license can get one back.”
The problem is the fees generate about 80 million dollars a year. The fees were approved in 2003 to help keep the state budget balanced during the recession.
State Representative Lee Chatfield says that shouldn’t matter. He says drivers who commit moving violations already pay plenty in fines.
“These bills never should have been passed in the first place. It’s an unfair fee. It was a money grab by state government, and we’re making it right now.”
Ron Liex is with the Michigan Treasury. He says the state still relies on that money.
“Driver responsibility fees raised 80 million dollars last year and nearly 70 million dollars this year. We’re working with the Michigan Legislature to find a solution that addresses the underlying issue while keeping the budget balanced.”
But the bills are popular with Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature. They agree the fees are unfair – especially to the 350 thousand people who can no longer legally drive because they haven’t paid the fees.