A state panel is recommending a nearly $6 increase in the cost of registering a car in Ohio, to help fund operations of the State Highway Patrol.
A plan the 19-member panel agreed to earlier this week also includes increases in other vehicle fees, including a $19 hike in the registration fees for commercial trucks and a $15 boost in what Ohio motorists pay for temporary tags.
A final report will go to Gov. Ted Strickland and the Legislature next week. Department spokesman Tom Hunter says any increases would not take effect before next summer.
Panel member and AAA spokesman Brian Newbacher says with gasoline prices skyrocketing, motorists would rather not see higher fees. But he says the state can't afford to lose services provided by the Highway Patrol.
