Roseville seems poised tonight to be the first city in the region to repeal its "crash tax." I wouldn't expect the same from Sacramento.
Roseville city officials have said their crash fee program - which charges nonresidents if they cause auto wrecks within city limits requiring fire department response - hasn't lived up to expectations. It was expected to bring in $100,000 a year to the city. In about two years, it's generated $40,000.
You may remember that Sacramento once projected it would generate more than $1 million a year through its fee program, only to later downgrade that projection to between $300,000 and $500,000.
The City Council was widely criticized for its decision last month to enact a crash tax - known to those who support it as a fire cost recovery program. Business interests said it would dissuade people from spending money here. Insurance companies said it would lead to higher rates for all of us. And neighboring officials said it would work against regional cooperation.
Well, it doesn't appear the Sacramento program is going to be reversed.
Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2011/02/dont-expect-sacramento-to-reverse-crash-tax.html#ixzz1EAS19ucV