Arizona Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita Won't Vote For Budget Unless $32 Vehicle Registration Fee Dropped

By Claire Caulfield
Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 10:31am
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Michelle Ugenti-Rita in 2018.

One controversial portion of the Arizona GOP budget proposal would repeal a $32 vehicle registration fee over five years.

Lawmakers approved the new fee last session, but the final price was higher than expected.

Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita said she won’t vote for the budget unless the fee is dropped entirely.

"The proposal of a five-year phase-out is something that I can't support. It really doesn't take the opposition to this fee seriously," said Ugenti-Rita.

However, that would remove about $185 million from the budget, setting up a fight over how to fund road repairs and the Arizona Highway Patrol Division.

The deadline for a final budget is July 1 — the start of the 2020 fiscal year.

BusinessPolitics