As NLS reported the other day, today's DC Examiner has an article on an Arlington District Court judge striking down the "abusive driving" fees as unconstitutional. That makes the third judge in Virginia -- the other two were in Hanover and Henrico counties -- to strike down these fees, although the first two rulings were later overturned by higher courts. Meanwhile, several other judges decided to uphold the fees. In other words, it looks like this one is going to be decided by the voters of Virginia in November and beyond. Just keep in mind whose idea these "fees" were (as a roundabout way to raise revenues without calling them "taxes") and who pushed them through the General Assembly. Hint: it wasn't the party symbolized by a donkey.Expect this decision to be promptly reversed in Circuit Court.
Also expect the General Assembly to broadly support, on a bipartisan basis, a change to apply the abuser fees across the board as opposed to only Virginia residents, this session. These are not going away.