People sound off about increase

BOISE -- Governor Butch Otter is hoping to raise $200 million in the next three years for Idaho road construction.

But to do that, the governor says a fee increase would be required, and for some people that could mean up to a 500 percent increase in what they're paying to register their cars.

The flat $150 dollar vehicle registration fee proposed by the governor would apply to all vehicles – new or old. 

The governor says the fee increase would take three years to generate $200 million.  Of that, $130 million would go to the state, while $70 million would go to local roads.

But Idahoans we talked to say they're already taxed too much.

Others say they own cheap commuter cars to make driving more affordable and if the fee goes up, it will cost more than their cars are worth.

Idaho’s vehicle registration fees are among some of the lowest in the nation, but the proposed legislation would change that.

Here's how the fees break down now, before any additional county surcharges:

- for cars 1 to 2 years old, we pay $48;

- 3 to 6 years, $36;

- and 7 years or more, costs $24.

Gov. Otter wants to change that to a flat fee of $150 per vehicle. 

With the changes, Ada County residents would pay $187 annually to register their vehicle.

"They increased the sales tax from five to six cents, every time I turn around taxes are going up, and I see anything coming from it," said Jared Winterbottom.

"There is a lot of people losing jobs, they are getting out sourced especially in the tech field, things are getting harder, prices are going up on everything else, adding more insult to injury probably isn't the best thing to do I would think," said Mike Davidson.

This is the first of many registration proposals.