Bravo-- voted for 695, keep up the good fight. My question is my wifes car tabs are now due(approx $900.00) If we park it and license in Jan. can they charge more than $30.00 ?

-- terry flanagan (tgflanagan@hotmail.com), December 13, 1999

Answers

I don't know what's happening with the court battles, in trying to keep MVET taxes applied until the court battle is decided, but barring that, you can park your car until january and only pay the $30. However, there was a story about people, whose tabs were due in December, could wait 'til January, but then their tabs would be due in December again, not the next January.

I had once not renewed my tabs for about 3 months...years ago.. long story, and when I did renew my tabs, the new renewal date changed to the month I actually got my tabs, so I'm not sure how the whole system works. Oh, and as far as the $30, if you live in King, Pierce, or Snohomish, your tabs won't be $30. There's still a few fees they tack on other than MVET that will jack your tabs up a few bucks, but it will definitely be a relief from the $900 they previously extorted from you.

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), December 14, 1999.

I understand the court cases have not included requests for injunctive relief to stop implimentation of the MVET portion of the initiative. The state expects to implement 1/1/2000 on schedule. A court decision may be issued by April, for review by the state Supreme Court by June, 2000. The interesting question is; if they decide that it really is two issues on one initiative, which part (or both) will be determined to be void? Speculation is that the MVET part would stand, but the voter approval requirement on all tax and fee increases would be void. That is simply based on the publicity for the initiative, and what the majority of people thought the initiative was primarilly about.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), December 14, 1999.

Hmm, my guess would be that the whole thing would be invalidated. Oh well. Most elections are settled in the courts, these days. The best we can hope for is to send a message with an initiative, and then get on our knees and hope and pray that after the courts turn it over, that a few politicians at least adhere to the spirit of the thing.

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), December 14, 1999.

Terry You can park your car until January and then license it for $30.00 plus whatever extra they are charging you in your area, $3.00 filing fee etc. The annual expiration date will not change however and you'll have to renew in December 2000. From the Department of Licensing.

-- J.Fagan (cheebee@email.msn.com), December 15, 1999.