State should spread ferry replacement funds across regions

During the last legislative session the state passed House Bill 1129, which requires vehicle owners who register online or at a county auditor’s office to pay $5 for registration renewal and $12 for transferring a certificate of title. Money from these fees will pay for ferry replacement throughout the state.

The bill applies to vehicle registrations that are due on or after Jan. 1, 2015, and certificate of title transactions processed on or after the same day. Owners who register through private license agents will not pay these increases as they are already charged this amount for “convenien...