1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Drivers face new $340 ‘road usage’ cost and multiple fee increases under law impacting everything from gas to new cars
DRIVERS could soon be hit with a wave of new costs, including a $340 annual charge, under a wide-ranging proposal targeting everything from gas pumps to electric vehicles.
The plan also tacks on new taxes for car sales and hikes fees for licenses and renewals.
GETTYDrivers could soon face a new $340 annual fee (stock)[/caption]
AFPThe proposal also hikes license renewal costs (stock)[/caption]
GettyOne of the most controversial parts is a mandatory road usage charge for electric vehicle owners (stock)[/caption]
Even gas prices are set to climb under the measure, which lawmakers rolled out Monday.
The changes are part of a 100-plus-page bill being debated in Oregon’s Legislature.
It’s part of Oregon’s House Bill 2025, also known as the Transportation Reinvestment Package.
One of the most controversial parts is a mandatory road usage charge for electric vehicle owners.
Starting July 1, 2026, EV drivers would have to pay per mile driven or opt for a $340 flat fee, The Bulletin reported.
The per-mile charge would be pegged at 5% of the state’s gastax.
According to Bike Portland, the gas tax itself would rise from 40 cents to 50 cents per gallon in 2026 and 2027.
In 2028, another 5 cents would be added, and by 2029 it would be tied to inflation.
New cars would be hit with a 2% “transfer tax” on the retail price.
Used cars wouldn’t escape, a 1% tax would apply to those sales.
Getting a new driver’s license plate would cost $33, up from $12.
Taking a driver’s skills test at the DMV would spike from $45 to $111.
Renewing a driver’s license would jump from $48 to $74.
What drivers could pay under the new plan
Gas tax:
Rising from 40 cents to 50 cents per gallon in 2026–2027
Increasing to 55 cents in 2028
Indexed to inflation starting 2029
Electric vehicles:
$340 flat annual fee starting July 2026
Or pay-by-mile option tied to gas tax rate
Car registration:
New vehicle fee: $43 to $113
License plate fee: $12 to $33
DMV fees:
Driver’s test: $45 to $111
License renewal: $48 to $74
Car sales tax:
2% transfer tax on new vehicles
1% tax on used vehicle sales
Payroll tax (for transit funding):
Increase from 0.1% to 0.3% by 2030
Delivery fleets:
New $20 per vehicle annual permit fee
Eight-year ID cards would increase from $44 to $66.
The bill would also raise the state payroll tax for public transit from 0.1% to 0.3% by 2030.
A new $20-per-vehicle permit fee would be charged to corporate delivery fleets.
Oregon dropped earlier plans to raise the $15 bicycle tax, which will now stay the same.
Lawmakers say the cash, which is expected to generate $125 million a year, is going toward overdue projects.
For example, officials say it would fund the state’s “Anchor Project Account” — covering major efforts like the I-5 Rose Quarter and the Abernethy Bridge.
The bill also sets aside money for bike lanes, safer school routes, and fixing “orphan highways.”
Another $125 million would go to the state’s “Great Streets” program for safer road designs.
There’s also $25 million per year marked for Safe Routes to Schools — and $5 million annually for wildlife-vehicle collision prevention.
The initial version of the bill changed within hours of its release and is still being debated.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Minnesota ‘assassin’ Vance Boelter’s best friend reveals haunting text gunman sent after he ‘killed Melissa Hortman’
THE best friend and roommate of the suspected Minnesota assassin revealed the final chilling text he received from the alleged killer.
FacebookVance Luther Boelter, 57, has been named by police as a suspect in connection with the Minnesota political killings[/caption]
TMJ 4Best friend of the suspected shooter, David Carlson, revealed his roommate’s final text messages[/caption]
FBIThe shooter was seen wearing a latex mask and police uniform[/caption]
Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were both killed at their homeFacebook
The alleged shooter’s friend, David Carlson, has now detailed his childhood pal’s final goodbye message, according to KARE.
Reading his text messages with Boelter, Carlson said: “David and Ron, I love you guys.
“I made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while.
“May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way.”
Footage showed the suspected political assassin‘s friend read the eerie messages in front of his home in North Minneapolis.
He continued to read the texts: “I don’t want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don’t know anything about this.
“But I love you guys and I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”
Fearing his friend may have done something to harm himself, Carlson immediately called the cops.
The 59-year-old, who met Boelter, 57, all the way back in fourth grade, was shocked at the prospect that his friend could have carried out the ruthless killings.
“He wasn’t a hateful person,” Carlson said.
He added: “But he needed help.”
The haunting texts were revealed after the accused killer’s wife was detained following a dramatic traffic stop – before cops said they found weapons and passports in her car.
Jenny Boetler was stopped by police while driving with several relatives near Onamia, Minnesota, on Saturday at around 10am, according to KTSP.
InstagramHoffman and Yvette have both undergone surgery and are said to be in a stable condition[/caption]
Minnesota Department of Public SafetyBoelter was last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat in the Twin Cities area on Saturday morning[/caption]
Pguards.netThe wife of the suspected political assassin Jenny Boetler was stopped by police and questioned[/caption]
In the car she also had cash and ammunition, local cops said, adding that the wife was also held for questioning but not arrested.
It is currently unclear whether the Boetlers lived together – since Vance is understood to have lived at a residence in Camden, Minnesota.
The couple are understood to have joint-ran Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based security company.
Their website says: “Here to set up security options and provide security services right to your doorstep and property to keep what you own safe and secure.”
The site also says that Boelter had experience working with “security situations” across Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East.
Online biographies also showed he was the CEO of Red Lion Group – which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Additionally, he is said to have worked with Minnesota Africans United – a local organization working with African immigrants in the state.
2022 footage showed Boelter speaking about Red Lion Group’s ventures in the DRC, claiming to have business ventures there in fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis.
Last month, his online profiles said he was open to work.
Boelter’s longtime pal Carlson seemingly confirmed his search for work, and added that his friend was experiencing financial trouble, according to CNN.
APMinnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the shootings ‘an act of targeted political violence’[/caption]
Minnesota Department of Public SafetyCops believe Boelter is attempting to flee the area and are asking the public for any information[/caption]
UnpixsNo Kings protest fliers were found in the suspect’s vehicle[/caption]
Carlson said: “He was looking around, but maybe things didn’t work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory.
“I have no idea what he was thinking.”
Boelter was twice appointed to Minnesota government by different Democratic governors.
In 2016, then Governor Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Council.
Later in 2019, current Governor Tim Walz enlisted him to serve a four-year stint on the Workforce Development Board, according to documents.
Despite his work under Walz, roommate and friend Carlson revealed that Boelter had voted for Donald Trump at the last election.
The security services worker also last registered to vote in 2022 as a Republican, according to the New York Post.
FBI announces $50k reward for arrest and conviction
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in Saturday’s targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and their families in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter’s location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him.
The FBI, BCA, Brooklyn Park Police Department and Champlin Police Department along with other local and state law enforcement officials continue searching for Boelter.
Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Carlson added that he wasn’t aware of what Boelter’s political leanings on state politics were, however.
He also shared that Boetler was also strongly anti-abortion – but not in a way that could have motivated him to kill.
“It wasn’t the thing that defined him,” Carlson said.
“I mean, it wasn’t his total existence. He would talk about other things.”
Boelter lived at Carlson’s home in North Minneapolis just a few days a week, according to the roommate.
He explained how Boelter was not at the residence at the time officers executed a search warrant on Saturday.
melissahortman.comMelissa Hortman and her husband Mark are survived by their two children[/caption]
Minnesota SenateSenator John Hoffman Minnesota and his wife were shot multiple times[/caption]
Vance Boeltner/FacebookVance Boelter, A former appointee of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is being sought in connection with the shootings[/caption]
Cops were called to Senator Hoffman’s home at 2:08am on Saturday and responded to Rep. Hortman’s home at 3:35am — where they exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
The shooter was seen on home security footage released by the FBI outside one of the victim’s homes, wearing a fake police uniform and an eerie latex mask.
As cops launched an extensive manhunt for the killer who is still at large, they named 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect in the shootings.
He should be considered armed and dangerous and the public should not approach him, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has warned.
A $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction has been announced by the FBI.
A motive has not been released by cops, but the shootings come as millions take to the streets as part of the anti-Trump No Kings movement.
Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said: “We don’t have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said ‘No Kings’ within the suspect’s vehicle.
“And as we know, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event.”
Boelter was last seen in the Twin Cities area wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt and light pants.
He is described as 220lbs and 6 foot 1 and cops believe he is trying to flee the area and may be carrying a dark bag.
The public should call 911 or sent tips to bca.tips@state.mn.us or call 877-996-6222.
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Kepala Bergetar Tonton Si Bakhil dengan Bunganya Episode 5 Astro Ria Drama Video Terbaru Basahjeruk Online Free HD. Watch Si Bakhil dengan Bunganya Ep 5 via Myflm4u and DFM2U with smooth, secure streaming in high definition. Enjoy the latest Malay drama Si Bakhil dengan Bunganya Episod 5 Terkini on Astro Ria without a subscription—accessible on both …
1 day agoMalaysianComments Off on Trump flexes military might at parade as protests sweep US
President Donald Trump hosted the largest US military parade in decades on his 79th birthday on Saturday, as protesters rallied across the country to accuse him of acting like a dictator.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on IN PICTURES: Indigenous students browse job prospects at 2025 Great Southern Deadly Jobs and Careers Forum
Retravision Stadium buzzed with ambition on Wednesday as hundreds of students from across the region gathered to explore future career pathways at the 2025 Great Southern Deadly Jobs and Careers Forum.
