Senate votes to raise fines, fees and court costs

DES MOINES – A proposal to raise many fines and fees for traffic violations set off vocal sirens in the Iowa Senate today.

Debating senators at times shouted their points for and against a plan to generate $8.8 million through higher fines, fees and court costs effective July 1 as part of an overall $484 million fiscal 2011 budget bill covering Iowa courts, public safety, prison operations and other justice system functions.

“We're trying to finance government on the backs of hard-working Iowans who slip up,” said Senate GOP Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton – one of 17 Republicans who oppose Senate File 2378.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, who was not present for the final vote, accused majority Democrats of trying to “sneak” through a “rip-off for taxpayers” by increasing more than 180 traffic-related fines. He said lawmakers like to trumpet that the budget is being balanced without raising taxes, “well, it's a big fat lie.”

However, Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, a Marshall County deputy sheriff, said the change will cost Iowans nothing if they obey the rules of the road. Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, stated it another way: “If you don't want to pay the fine, don't do the crime.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, accused Republicans of “standing up for criminals” by opposing the measure.

“Whose side are you on?” Gronstal said. “If you want to side with the taxpayers, you'll vote for this bill. If you want to side with the criminals, you'll vote against the bill. It's as simple as that.”

Under the bill, scores of scheduled and unscheduled violations and additional court costs for felony and misdemeanor crimes will increase.

“This is a regressive tax,” said Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, who criticized Democrats for spending too much money the past three fiscal years and now “sticking it to Iowans” with higher fines and fees to balance the fiscal 2011 budget.

In the end, senators voted 31-17 to spend $484.1 million to fund public safety, corrections, justice department, public defense and other related governmental functions next fiscal year. They also voted 31-18 to provide $150.3 million to finance Judicial Branch operations beginning July 1. The bills now go to the House for consideration.

Comments: (515) 243-7220;

rod.boshart@gazcomm.com