California’s car dealers are about to pull off the most audacious money grab since the tech boom, and honestly? They’re not even trying to hide it.

In a move that would make Wall Street blush, the state Senate just passed a bill allowing car dealerships to jack up their processing fees by a whopping 488%, bumping the cap from $85 to potentially $500 per vehicle. And the best part? They did it with almost unanimous support, proving once again that political unity is alive and well – when it comes to extracting cash from everyday consumers.

The Art of the Hustle

Let’s break this down: Car dealers are claiming they need this fee increase to cover rising paperwork costs. Senator Dave Cortese, who authored the bill, is basically saying, “It’s not ideal, but necessary”. Translation? We’re getting finessed, Bay Area fam.

Follow the Money

The California New Car Dealers Association has been generously “supporting” lawmakers, donating nearly $3 million since 2015. Coincidence? Absolutely not. This is pure, unadulterated capitalist strategy – lobby, donate, and then create legislation that benefits your bottom line.

The Lone Voice of Reason

Only one senator, Henry Stern from Calabasas, saw through this charade. His blunt assessment? “Car dealers haven’t earned the trust to justify this major increase in junk fees”.

Bottom line: California drivers are about to get an unexpected – and unwelcome – financial surprise when purchasing their next ride. Welcome to the Golden State, where even car paperwork comes with a premium price tag.