Henrico Judge Suspends Driver Fees

Voter anger over the fees has intensified backbiting among state lawmakers, most of whom are backpedaling at full speed from the unpopular measure. Although it passed with bipartisan support, the plan was conceived by Republicans as a way to raise about $65 million a year for transportation programs without increasing taxes. Democrats are uneasy about the political fallout but also eager to remind voters of the GOP's role.

House Democrats blasted Howell, who promised yesterday to consider ways to include out-of-state drivers in the bill "as we always intended."

"Now, in the middle of the election, the speaker is hoping to rewrite history and pass blame to anyone he can think of," said House Democratic caucus spokesman Mark Bergman.

Republicans blamed Kaine for amending the bill to exempt out-of-state drivers. Kaine has said he had no choice; the state doesn't have the authority to charge out-of-state motorists a vehicle fee.

"I don't want to be ragging on the governor, I think he just did it by mistake," said Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who voted in favor of the transportation bill and was a major proponent of the fees.

Albo said, however, that he opposes the idea of a special session because of the risks it poses to the entire transportation bill, which passed narrowly. "We go back into special session, the whole deal is going to unravel," Albo said.

State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Fairfax), locked in what is expected to be a tight reelection fight against Democrat J. Chapman Petersen, called on Kaine to drop appeal of the Henrico ruling, suspend collection of the fees statewide and wait for the General Assembly to reconvene next year.

"Most people would be very happy to add a penny to the gas tax rather than deal with these abuser fees," she said.