(LANSING, MI.)–State Rep. Beau LaFave today said he is pleased that Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation eliminating driver responsibility fees on Oct. 1 and forgiving all debt associated with the fees.
LaFave, of Iron Mountain, said the fees often meant the loss of driving privileges, which creates unique hardships for people living in the Upper Peninsula.
“We have a pretty big area up here without much in terms of public transportation, so having a valid driver’s license is vital,” LaFave said. “Elimination of these punitive fees and giving people a path to regaining their driving privileges can be the difference between a family making ends meet or depending on public assistance.”
The fees were enacted nearly 15 years ago by the Granholm administration to fill a hole in the state budget caused by reckless spending of taxpayer money. The legislation also creates a grace period through Dec. 31 during which people who have been paying the fees may obtain their driver’s licenses without paying a $125 restoration fee.
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com