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Why is Paso Robles Councilman Gregory’s car registered in Idaho?

October 23, 2024

Paso Robles City Councilman Steve Gregory’s car

By KAREN VELIE

Even though Paso Robles City Councilman Steve Gregory and his wife are long-time city residents, they have been driving newer Toyota SUVs with Idaho license plates since at least the first of the year. California law requires cars brought into the state to be re-registered within 20 days of arrival.

By purchasing and registering his vehicles in Idaho, Gregory paid only 6% sales tax instead of the 8.75% sales tax required in Paso Robles. The primary funding source for the City of Paso Robles is sales tax, accounting for 34% of general fund revenue.

When a California resident purchases a car out of state, they are required to pay sales or use tax when they re-register the vehicle in California.

In addition to lower sales tax rates, Idaho also has some of the lowest registration fees in the United States, according to the Idaho Department of Transportation. California also has special emissions requirements.

Gregory told CalCoastNews he bought the cars in February after selling his previous vehicle to his son who lives in Idaho. Gregory bought a duplex in Idaho, and while he rents out half of the property, the other half  provides him a permanent residence, he said.

“As long as I have a permanent residence, I can register my car in Idaho,” Gregory said.

However, a supervisor with the Idaho Department of Transportation said in order to register a vehicle in Idaho under the residency requirement, the owner must reside in Idaho more than 50% of the time.

Gregory, who is currently running for Paso Robles City Council District 3, said he resides primarily in California.

 


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Another interesting residency dilemma. i know a woman who lives in Wyoming but rents a trailer in Morro Bay in the winter, four and a half months or so. She would get pulled over by the Morro Bay police who told her that they had seen her Wyoming truck around for a couple months. She would explain her living pattern and they would remind her of the 20 day requirement and let her go, every year. Same thing with a guy from a northern state living in SLO from November to March.


11

Smart man, I’d do the same if I had an out of state address to register my vehicles to.


-8

Fair enough, but it wouldn’t be very smart to run for office when that requires residency in the town you run to represent.


44

While this individual’s car registration location may be “questionable” for someone who’s running for a city council, he is smart by taking advantage of his part time residence in Idaho and registering his car there. The taxes and registration fees in CA are egregious and I support anyone finding a way to not pay them. Jerry Brown and his supermajority raised the gas tax and registration fees without any public input, a few years ago. The fees keep going up. When politicians pander to citizens about lowering the cost of living, remember that this is just one example of their hypocritical actions. Taxation is theft.


1

I wonder if he is receiving a ballot in Idaho as well?


45

Because paying local sales tax that contributes to the counsil’s salary is for us mere mortals.


44

A friend’s son moved to Arizona and reregistered his car. $650/yr in California, $30 every two years in Arizona. Their registration is just an administrative fee, not a tax. I suspect Idaho is similar.


44

Some would support this person with the belief that he shows fiscal responsibility, for himself, which is clearly not what is best for the community he seeks to represent. Vote with your heart, not with a party.


46

The photograph provided constitutes grounds for a parking violation, as the rear tire encroaches into the designated red curb area, which indicates a no-parking zone.


19

Give him a brake he’s from Idaho and he don’t no.


2

Protected-class elites, like Gregory, are exempt from the California Vehicle Code.


2

I’d usually say this is his personal business , BUT…. as a public elected official, he is held to the highest standard in his personal life, including showing his deepest commitment to the community he serves. So, yes, it’s a big deal. Why do folks think they can get away with this stuff?


55

Because, sadly, too many people seek office for personal benefit, not to serve the public.


49
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