This is for Oregon Prius owners, but for anyone else in other states - you may want to read on, cuz this could happen to you too!<br><br>The state of Oregon recently had the foolish idea to single out owners of hybrid cars to DOUBLE the car registration fee. I just got my notice in the mail this week. The rationale? Since hybrids get such good mileage, the state loses gas tax revenue, which is used to maintain roads. So to replace lost revenue, the registration fees will be doubled to $60 - after all, hybrids cause wear and tear on the roads just like anyone else.<br><br>There is some logic to that idea if one only looks at the narrow issue of gas tax revenue. But this totally disregards the greater environmental benefit of having clean burning hybrids reducing air pollution and the political/economic benefit of reducing dependence on foreign oil. They should be cutting registration fees for hybrids in HALF to encourage more purchases of hybrids! Large trucks and SUVs cause much more damage to our roads and air quality - their fees should be proportional to the damage caused.<br><br>So all you Oregon owners out there - please join me in writing letters to your legislator explaining why this is such a short-sighted idea that favors gas guzzlers and asking them to repeal a dumb law. Thanks and happy cruising!<br><br>(Apologies if this topic has already been heard on this site)

&lt;&lt;There is some logic to that idea if one only looks at the narrow issue of gas tax revenue.&gt;&gt;<br><br>Not really. If they wanted to raise the tax on the basis of mpg alone there would be "some" logic. But to assess the increase on hybrids only then justify it with the mpg while letting other high mpg cars off the hook is not logical.

Your license fees DOUBLED to $60?<br><br>Here in California the last couple of years our registration fees have been lowered significantly.<br><br>Ergo, my registration fees for my 2002 Prius bought in late November were ONLY $191! And actually that will increase because I ordered personalized plates. <br><br>OK, I'm jealous, but I still think what they're doing in Oregon is STUPID.<br><br>Ken<br>LOW EMSN

I have been trying for a week to try and find who to write to to complain about that stupid increase! I am so glad I am not the only one out here that knows about it! What will they do next, give RV's and SUV's a BONUS because they use SO MUCH MORE gas? It doesn't make logical sense! And you are right, where CA owners of cars have to pay high fees to reduce emissions, we now have a car that makes nearly 0 and we are being PUNISHED for it in OREGON (what happened to the Green state?) Please tell me where to write because I am right behind you!<br><br>Crystal-<br>'02 moon blue pearl

Reply to Crystal -<br>'02 moon blue pearl <br><br>&lt;&lt;Please tell me where to write because I am right behind you!&gt;&gt;<br><br>Thanks! There's several things you can do (which I plan to do myself next week):<br><br>1) Call the Oregon Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and see if you can get to somebody who can tell you the name and number of the statute or rule that gave DMV the authority to double the fee.<br><br>2) Write to the Senator and Representative who represent you in your district - if you are a constituent they will pay much more attention. Be sure to tell them that you vote. Somewhere in the letter, refer to the name and number of the statute or rule from #1 above so they know what has to be changed. Ask them to repeal it. There's a special session to balance the budget coming up very soon, so they could do it then.<br><br>3) In the same letter, or by a phone call to the office of your legislator, ask them to tell you which House and Senate committees passed the statute that authorized the new fee, and the names of the committee chairpersons and the committee members. If you really want to start having an influence, send similar letters to all of those folks telling them what a dumb idea it is.<br><br>Hope that helps! Let's try to get others to do this also!