Posted on 12/31/2010 9:41:10 AM PST by FromLori
At least 50 cities in California have adopted so-called crash-tax laws allowing local governments to seek reimbursement from insurance companies for the costs of sending public emergency crews to accident scenes. The fees can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If insurers don't pay, cities can hire collection agents to seek payment from the motorists involved, reports LaTi.
And it's spreading, says LaTi: It's gaining momentum nationwide as cash-strapped communities seek a way to offset budget cuts
This month, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proposed charging drivers there as much as $490 when firefighters respond to an accident or a vehicle fire, beginning July 1. A public hearing is set for January. So let me see if I understand this correctly: The government taxes in the first place for the "services" they provide, but they have blown that money, so they are going to charge you separately for the services they provide.
Bottom line: The emergency response sector seems to be another sector that should be left to the private sector seeing as individuals are paying for the responses anyway.
IL is way ahead in this. My town earns about $500K/year in this way. Accidents and our emergency responders are a profit center.
They charge for ambulance rides as well. So we pay for the equipment, vehicles, training and salaries and then our insurance companies get to pay again.
Remind me what taxes pay for?
“So we pay for the equipment, vehicles, training and salaries and then our insurance companies get to pay again.”
When the insurance companies pay YOU pay it will be passed on to the customers in the form of higher rates and as we all know we will pick up the tab for those who won’t. It never ends sigh.
Local governments are full of bipartisan commies.
WHAT THE F*** AM I PAYING TAXES FOR!!!!!!!!!!
I think you are insane.
Because, you (edited), then when YOU wreck in East Podunk, THEY will respond to YOUR incident.
Because, you (edited), then when YOU wreck in East Podunk, THEY will respond to YOUR incident.
“I think you are insane.”
Perhaps. Btw is this my mother-in-law?
But seriously, you should pay fees when you use any service whether it is the county hospital, the water system, the court system, etc.
You should also have the option of a private rescue squad
I pay taxes. Why should I pay a fee to send my kids to public schools?
Why should I have to pay for parking at the city lot downtown?
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