Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) introduced legislation that would block New York drivers from Gov. Cuomo’s mandated $25 fee on new license plates.
The bill would prohibit the state Department of Motor Vehicles from requiring a fee when the design of the state license plate is changed.
The bill introduced by Leader Kolb mirrors a proposal offered yesterday in the Senate by Sen. Robert Ortt (R,C,I-North Tonawanda).
“Gov. Cuomo and his friends never miss an opportunity to take money out of the pockets of New Yorkers. The new license plate money grab is just another tax being forced onto the public, and another fee that makes everyday life a little more expensive for hardworking people. As legislators, we have a responsibility to stand up for our constituents and say, ‘Enough is enough – the continued abuse of taxpayers can’t continue.’”
On Monday, the governor announced that all license plates more than 10 years old – like the traditional blue and white versions, as well as the more current gold plates – will be subjected to the replacement requirement. The governor’s plan imposes a $25 fee, which is the maximum allowed by law for new plates, in addition to registration renewal costs. Drivers who want to keep their license plate number will also be forced to pay an extra $20 under his proposal.
Gov. Cuomo has opened up the redesign process to New Yorkers via an online vote to select the next plate design. However, the tactic appears to distract from the true intent of the proposal, to squeeze New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money.
“It’s not enough that New Yorkers were hit with $1.3 billion in new taxes during the Democrats’ state budget in April – now they’re forced to deal with another insulting money grab disguised as a design contest,” Leader Kolb added. “I commend Sen. Ortt for taking the lead in the Senate on this, and I hope leadership in both houses takes action to prevent this outrageous, ego-driven measure from moving forward.”
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