Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 15, 1993 TAG: 9307150162
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
A state law that took effect July 1 allows neighboring localities to set up such arrangements. Until now, police could only ticket offenders who live in their city or county.
"Ultimately, we're talking about a net savings of millions of dollars," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Davis III.
Better enforcement of existing tax laws is the best short-term solution for shrinking budgets, officials said.
"As local governments trying to save money, we don't have much choice but to raise taxes or cut services, and neither of those options are very attractive," Davis said.
Localities typically issue stickers to prove payment of the annual tax on the value of the vehicle. Each year, thousands of motorists evade the tax, the state Department of Motor Vehicles estimates.
Every city and county in Virginia imposes the taxes, said Betty Long, fiscal policy director at the Virginia Municipal League.
"I would be very surprised if local governments did not take advantage of this," she said.
The law was sponsored by state Sen. Robert Calhoun, R-Alexandria, and was intended initially to benefit Northern Virginia localities. Other areas of the state are examining ways to cooperate under the law, but Northern Virginia appears closest to installing a plan.
There are no statewide figures for the amount of revenue lost to local governments because of scofflaws, Long said.
"I know a lot of people try to get around it. It's a very unpopular tax with people," she said.
by CNB