Romney used fee hikes to trim budget (blind, mentally retarded and others were asked to help pay)

[Kadie]

Romney used fee hikes to trim budget
By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press Writer
52 minutes ago


BOSTON - When Mitt Romney wanted to balance the Massachusetts budget, the blind, mentally retarded and gun owners were asked to help pay.

The Republican managed to slash spending to eliminate a deficit pegged at $3 billion, but he also proposed or presided over a far-ranging series of fee hikes — a strategy that allowed him to maintain the no-new-taxes stance he now boasts about as he runs for president.

In all, then-Gov. Romney proposed creating 33 new fees and increasing 57 others — enough, he said, to pull in an extra $59 million for the cash-strapped state.

Horseback riding instructors, prisoners, those seeking training to combat domestic violence and used car shoppers were asked to dig a little deeper.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070828/ap_on_el_pr/romney_fees;_ylt=AtcBu4OaEXUYT3Ejle6yLZes0NUE

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. As if fee hikes weren't a tax. rayguys kept pulling the same shit too.