Want to get people riled up in Clark County? Simply broach the issue of scofflaws who live in Washington but register their vehicles in Oregon.
That matter has been a lightning rod for years, routinely arousing the ire of residents who perform their civic duty by paying Washington’s higher tab fees and become miffed by those who evade that duty. The frustration is understandable. Nobody likes paying fees, but responsible citizens recognize that 1) It is the law; and 2) The money goes toward building and maintaining roads, along with providing other societal benefits.
Despite much public outcry over the years, little has been done to crack down on those who skirt the law. But with a new report from the city of Vancouver quantifying the impact of the situation, leaders at the local and state levels should renew efforts with law enforcement to see that it gets fixed.
The city of Vancouver estimates it could be losing more than $300,000 in annual revenue because of people who live in Washington but have vehicles registered in other states. Washington law dictates that new residents have 30 days to get a driver’s license and register their vehicles. More problematic are longtime residents who take advantage of Clark County’s proximity to Oregon and register vehicles in that state to avoid the Washington fee. In addition, by purchasing a vehicle and claiming an Oregon address, drivers can avoid paying this state’s sales tax.
Each of these scenarios falls under the definition of a scofflaw, which Webster’s tells us is “a contemptuous law violator.” Such contempt is contagious, spreading to law-abiding residents who are quick to share anecdotal evidence of longtime neighbors who have vehicles registered in Oregon.
Addressing the issue is problematic. Violators are not a threat to public safety, and law enforcement officers typically face more pressing dangers that require attention. It also can be argued that cracking down upon a single vehicle registration violator will do little to boost the public coffers.
But the collective costs to the public — more than $300,000 in Vancouver, not to mention Camas and Battle Ground and other areas throughout Clark County — demonstrates the need for enforcement. The bills add up, and they are bills that end up being paid by those who adhere to the law.
Avoiding registration fees is an exercise in selfishness. Washington residents pay no income tax to the state, and because of that a system has developed over the years to collect fees through other avenues. While it is human nature to decry taxation, those taxes contribute to what makes this area so desirable. It is not a matter of putting money into the pockets of government officials; it is a matter of paying for roads and infrastructure and the items that mark the difference between civilization and dystopia.
In an ideal world, scofflaws would recognize the error of their ways and volunteer to do the right thing. But we know the world is not always ideal. Increased enforcement will be required, and officials throughout the state should work with the Washington State Patrol to facilitate that enforcement. In addition, the fine for failing to register, which can be $529, should be increased. We recommend tripling the penalty to more than $1,500, putting some weight behind efforts to solve the situation. Willful tax evasion should not be viewed as a reasonable risk.
Law-abiding Clark County residents long have decried those who ignore the law to save a couple of bucks. It is time for law enforcement to get serious about ensuring that scofflaws pay a heavy price.
