Huffines: Repeal the Motor Vehicle Inspection Tax

[jw33]

http://www.empowertexans.com/around-texas/huffines-repeal-the-motor-vehicle-inspection-tax/

by Ross Kecseg

During the 84th legislative session, State Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas) advanced a complete phase out of Texas’ disastrous business tax, otherwise known as the franchise tax. Now he’s calling for the repeal of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Tax, an outdated “vehicle safety” mandate that’s proven to be nothing more than a waste of time and money for Texans.

In an op-ed published in the Texas Tribune, Huffines noted how Texas has held onto the misguided policy of vehicle inspections long after the regulation-addicted federal government repealed similar laws over forty years ago.

If repealed, Texas would join thirty-four other states that no longer require vehicle inspections.

Nebraska repealed its vehicle inspection mandate in conjunction with a study of the impact its elimination had on defect-related crashes. Following its repeal in 1982, defect-related crashes significantly decreased by over 16%. A report submitted to the North Carolina Assembly cited the failure of similar “safety” programs, using data obtained by Nebraska’s study and others conducted across the country.

Huffines further outlined the total cost associated with levying the ill-conceived tax, citing the disproportionate burden it places on low-income Texans.

“So let’s call these inspections what they really are: a tax on Texans’ time and money. [It] costs Texans an annual $267 million in fees alone. What’s arguably worse is the tax on our time — the program forces more than 50,000 trips to the inspection station every single day, resulting in more than 9 million wasted hours every year. That adds up to $203 million in lost wages, based on average salary data…This type of flat cost disproportionately affects lower-income Texans, and while most begrudge the annual trip to the station, these individuals are truly harmed by this unnecessary and counterproductive mandate.”

Almost every Republican in Texas campaigns on promoting economic growth by limiting government, lowering taxes, and repealing unnecessary regulations. By calling for repeal of the inspection tax, Huffines has identified another opportunity for such lofty rhetoric to be put to the test.

[jluv]

That's cool.

In CO, they only require inspections in certain large metro areas, like Denver and Colorado Springs. There is no inspection requirement where I live in the mountains. However, the registration is fucking ridiculous, and varies by vehicle. My F250 is around $300/year. My wife's 4Runner is $180-ish. The lady at the courthouse said it has to do with the size. Makes no sense to me, but whatever. They will always screw you one way or another.

[GhostTX]

Good. When I see POS's driving down the road belching out enough smoke to cover an invasion force, and I gotta go back for a 2nd time because my wipers aren't good enough, it's time to repeal it.

[Broncojohnny]

This shit has been pointless since the 1980s

[LANTIRN]

That's cool.

In CO, they only require inspections in certain large metro areas, like Denver and Colorado Springs. There is no inspection requirement where I live in the mountains. However, the registration is fucking ridiculous, and varies by vehicle. My F250 is around $300/year. My wife's 4Runner is $180-ish. The lady at the courthouse said it has to do with the size. Makes no sense to me, but whatever. They will always screw you one way or another.

Sounds like Arizona. They still had insections, plus registration was about $600 per year per vehicle. The newer the vehicle the more registration would cost. Older ones were still $100 or more best I remember. That was back around 2008 though.

[CexMashean]

Why would people want to pay $300+ per year instead of a $44 inspection and $70'ish registration?

[Baron Von Crowder]

Why would people want to pay $300+ per year instead of a $44 inspection and $70'ish registration?

you seriously arent that fucking dumb, are you?

[Jesse]

In TN it varies in each counties .no state inspections and 60$ for registrations on each car regardless of age .

[CexMashean]

you seriously arent that fucking dumb, are you?

I guess I missed something.
I read the quoted article, then I read jluv's comment.

I interpeted that as stating this bill is a move to something similar (inspections in only larger metro areas, etc), and the prices of those inspections being outrageous.

So this bill wants to completely abolish any kind of vehicle inspection? No more naynays riding dirty because of inspection outages?

[Baron Von Crowder]

I guess I missed something.
I read the quoted article, then I read jluv's comment.

I interpeted that as stating this bill is a move to something similar (inspections in only larger metro areas, etc), and the prices of those inspections being outrageous.

So this bill wants to completely abolish any kind of vehicle inspection? No more naynays riding dirty because of inspection outages?

The bill would eliminate inspections.

Jarrod stated they dont have them outside the big cities in CO.

He also said his registration was wild, and expensive.

[juiceweezl]

Florida hasn't had them in years. It's a revenue machine, that's it. I'd be happy if they just made the registration cost what the inspection and registration cost together and got rid of the inspection. They'd still have their money and I wouldn't have to waste my time.

[Craizie]

Florida hasn't had them in years. It's a revenue machine, that's it. I'd be happy if they just made the registration cost what the inspection and registration cost together and got rid of the inspection. They'd still have their money and I wouldn't have to waste my time.

Registration is a fucking scam. I refuse to buy into that bullshit. I could under stand getting it registered every time a vehicle changed hands. Not once a year.

[Broncojohnny]

Registration is a fucking scam. I refuse to buy into that bullshit. I could under stand getting it registered every time a vehicle changed hands. Not once a year.

Just another scam. They could probably do away with it if they actually used the gasoline tax for the roads. Fucking crooks.

[blandnuts]

When I lived in Denver it was expensive, but I thought it was related to how much your car was worth. They were quick at the inspections and the dyno was readily available. Florida was great, I didn't have to worry about crap. Here in Denton, they were giving me shit when I had my 90 there when it was 26 years old. They wanted to sniff it, but all the dynos were broke except in Dallas. I finally went to a place that could add and wasted another hour while they "inspected" it. If you're really going to inspect it, check peoples brakes or something like that...

I have to get my truck done this month...yay.

Anyways, thanks for the post, hope they do drop them.

[juiceweezl]

Registration is a fucking scam. I refuse to buy into that bullshit. I could under stand getting it registered every time a vehicle changed hands. Not once a year.

Totally agree, but you and I both know they're not going to give up all the revenue from registrations and inspections. I'd settle for having the same out of pocket expense as now but not having to have an inspection. I'd be thrilled if I only had to pay when acquiring a vehicle.