GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to § 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 370.

This legislation permits localities to charge an additional license fee on motor vehicles. The funds from such fees must be paid into the Volunteer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund ("Fund"). I support our volunteer firefighters and volunteer rescue squad members for their valuable service to our communities. We need to recognize the efforts of volunteers in the Commonwealth. Speaker Wilkins and I worked to create the Volunteer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund. However, I cannot support allowing localities to levy additional license fees on motor vehicles. At a time when we are reducing citizens' personal property tax on vehicles, it would be inappropriate for me to support an increase in vehicle registration fees, a form of motor vehicle taxation. I would, however, urge localities to place donations to this fund among their highest priorities.