Picture this – you’re cruising down the highway. A cat crosses your path. You swerve, crash and take out a stop sign. While you question your attempted good deed, emergency crews arrive to clean up the mess. A month later you’re hit with a bill for the emergency services provided on that fateful day. Seems wrong, right? Well, in these tough economic times, cash-strapped local governments are increasingly turning to motorists, to help struggling fire and police departments recoup the costs of providing emergency services. The fees can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars, billed to insurance companies. But if insurers don’t pay, cities have the option of going after the motorists themselves. At least 50 cities and counties in California have already adopted so-called crash-tax laws. And Sacramento could soon be the largest city in the state to do so. Public officials say budget woes are compelling them to find new ways of raising revenue. And proponents say going after the person who caused an accident is only fair. Critics argue that taxpayers already pay for such basic services and can’t afford extra fees. Is this a good way for fire and police departments to recover costs? Or is it a breakdown in the social contract–since drivers in crashes are also taxpayers? How does cost recovery work anyway?
Guests:
Senator Tony Strickland, R-CA’s 19th District, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County. In Los Angeles County, the district incorporates Santa Clarita.
Chief Bill Soqui, Cathedral City Fire Department