Patterson estimates the couple now owe the Texas Department of Public Safety about $5,000 a year in surcharges.

"You can't get ahead - it's just impossible," said Patterson, who makes $10 an hour making caps for containers. "I can't take care of it - I want to, but I can't."

"I went to court and gave my pound of flesh," Patterson said. "I paid my dues."

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Whitmire, D-Houston, said lawmakers should modify and consider repealing the Driver Responsibility Program, which includes a surcharge of $1,000 annually for three years for first-time driving-while-intoxicated offenders. The many motorists who do not pay face suspension of their driver's licenses, which Whitmire and law officers said means more people on the road without licenses or insurance.

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Wow, that's shameless.

quote:

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Originally posted by David H:
Wow, that's shameless.

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The spam ad to which David refers has been nuked.