OPPONENTS MULL LEGAL CHALLENGE TO CALIFORNIA AIR QUALITY FEE BILL

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) reportedly intends to sign a landmark state measure creating dedicated funding for certain air quality programs through new fees, leading opponents to consider drafting an argument that the fees are actually illegal taxes. The complaints center on a tire fee in the state legislature, introduced by Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh (D). The bill calls for a 75-cent increase to an existing $1 tire fee, with the extra revenue going to fund incentive-based air quality programs targeting...