BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Despite opposition from Gov. Bobby
Jindal's administration, lawmakers continue to advance a bill to
reverse a $15 boost in the cost of a state driver's license.
Already approved by the Senate, the measure received the backing
Wednesday of the House Transportation Committee without objection.
The bill (Senate Bill 407) by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, is
expected to head to a House money committee before it can reach the
House floor.
Jindal wants the $13.6 million expected to be raised by the
license hike next year to help cover costs for the state police.
Lawmakers were caught unaware when the Department of Public
Safety ordered the increase more than two months ago, and many
lawmakers said they should have to approve any price hike, arguing
the department raised the cost through a loophole in the law.
A new or renewed basic license now costs $36.50 for four years,
up from $21.50.
Opponents have argued passage of McPherson's bill would harm
funding that will pay for the Louisiana State Police, the Office of
Motor Vehicles and other agencies in the Department of Public
Safety.
Col. Mike Edmonson, head of the public safety department, said
the price hike pays for a federal mandate requiring the state to
participate in a national driver's license registry.

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