August 12, 2003

SACRAMENTO — Democratic lawmakers said Monday they hope to introduce a bill next week that would undo the recently approved tripling of car and truck registration fees and make up the $4 billion in lost revenue with higher taxes on wealthy people and cigarettes.

If successful, the legislation would dismantle an unpopular fee hike — one that was a major impetus behind the campaign to recall Gov. Gray Davis — and replace it with taxes that Democrats believe would be more politically acceptable.

Republicans called the move a ploy designed to boost the popularity of Davis less than two months before the Oct. 7 recall election, and they questioned the legality of switching taxes a month after the state budget was approved.