License Plate Plan Lands On Scrap Heap

ALBANY, 11/16/09 – Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today hailed the governor’s decision to drop plans requiring New York motorists to purchase new license plates in April at a cost of $25 per vehicle.

“I have been fighting the license plate scheme since it was first uncovered in the budget proposal earlier this year,” said Senator Seward.  “More than 8,000 people in the 51st district joined me in the battle by signing my on-line petition and offering a resounding NO to the government cash grab.  I am pleased that together, we can declare victory in this fight.”

The license plate replacement plan requires motorists to purchase new plates over a two year period beginning April 1, 2010, as their registrations come due.  New plates will cost each vehicle owner an extra $25 and generate a total of $130 million in revenue for the state. The new plate requirement was included in the 2009-10 state budget and is in addition to the increase in driver’s license and motor vehicle fees that took effect September 1, 2009.

“Reversing the license plate plan puts us on the right road to dealing with the state’s fiscal issues,” Seward continued.  “Capping state spending, enacting commonsense cuts and boosting economic development must also be part of the overall strategy.

“My colleagues and I in the senate have offered a number of alternative proposals to help balance the state budget without laying the burden on  upstate families, businesses and local governments.  I am hopeful the governor will examine these options and consider rolling back other taxes and fees included in the record spending state budget,” Seward concluded.
 
County clerks from across the state held their own campaign against the license plate replacement plan collecting over 100,000 signatures in opposition.

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