Another $10 for a WV license plate?

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The state Department of Transportation, saying it desperately needs money for rods, wants the legislature to increase the license plate fee by $10 to $40.

"The Division of Motor Vehicles, which collects the taxes that go to the DOT, estimates the increase could bring in about $13 million annually for the state's highway fund.

" 'We're trying to see if there's any support for going from $30 to $40,' said Steve Dale, assistant to the commissioner for motor vehicles."

Here are some thoughts:

1. No, no, no. The state already sucks money out of us through the personal property tax on cars. Read the public's lips. No new taxes.

2. Really, what would $13 million accomplish? How much new asphalt? How many miles of new guardrail? How many miles of cable median barriers on high-volume divided highways?

3. Some money that should go to the state road fund instead goes to fund regional highway authorities to lobby the Legislature on behalf of their projects. Spend the money on roads first. Why should tax money pay for lobbyists?

Anyone else have any other thoughts?