Statement on the proposed Vehicle Registration Fee

The following is a statement from the Reigstad for Fitchburg campaign on the city's proposed $40 vehicle registration fee (wheel tax).

“Regressive taxes disproportionately affect members of our community who are already struggling to make ends meet. While this proposal would provide the city with roughly $1 million in badly needed funding to improve our roads and strengthen transit, what I’ve been hearing repeatedly from my neighbors all over District 3 is that a $40 wheel tax is too tough a pill to swallow.

”The current members of the Common Council are scheduled to decide on whether to move forward with the vehicle registration fee on April 8 — after the spring election but before the new council is sworn in. That means it’s unlikely that I would cast a vote unless there was a delay. If, however, a $40 wheel tax were to come before me, I would vote against it.

”Improving the quality and safety of our infrastructure — while being mindful of our spending — has been something I’ve pushed for on the Transportation and Transit Commission and something I will continue to do on the Common Council.”

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