Price To Drive Goes Up September 1st

ONEONTA, 08/11/09 – Every New Yorker that drives a car, a truck, a motorcycle, an ATV or a boat will be paying more as the latest round of massive tax and fee hikes approved in the state budget takes effect next month, Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) said today.   
 
“In upstate New York driving is a necessity,” said Senator Seward.  “People depend on their motor vehicle to get to work, go grocery shopping and travel to the doctor.  Many New York City politicians don’t seem to care that the average upstate family will now be forced to pay an extra $100 a year to maintain a needed lifeline.”  

Senator Seward proposed several budget amendments that would have avoided the tax and fee increases.  The amendments were voted down by senate Democrats who instead approved a budget that increased spending by a record $12 billion and includes $8.5 billion in new taxes, translating to a cost of $2,400 a year for a family of four.  

“Every month brings a new round of tax and fee hikes that Democrats in the senate and assembly forced on New Yorkers in the state budget.  In September it’s motor vehicle fees, next it will be hunting and fishing licenses, earlier this year it was higher taxes for wine and beer, internet purchases and car insurance.  The biggest hit will come this fall when homeowners don’t get their STAR rebate checks, because the governor took them away,” Seward concluded. 

On September 1, 2009, the following motor vehicle registration fees will be increased:

 -Passenger vehicle registration fees increase from $44 to $55 (two year average depending on vehicle);
 -Commercial vehicle registration fees increase from $1.21 (per 500 lbs of vehicle weight) up to $1.51 at the low end of the range and increase from $11.50 to $14.38 (per 500 lbs) at the high end;
 -Trailer registration fees will increase from an average of $34 to $42.50;
 -Taxi registration fees, on average, will increase from $48 to $60;
 -Average bus registration fees will increase from $73 to $91.25;
 -Motorcycle registration increases from $14 to $17.50;
 -All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) registration increase from $10 to $12.50;
 -Average motorboat registrations will rise from $40 to $50.

In addition, fees will be increased to re-register vehicles, register custom vehicles and make photocopies of motor vehicle documents.  Also, starting on April 1, 2010, New Yorkers obtaining or renewing their vehicle registration will be required to purchase brand new license plates, whether they need them or not.  That means another $25 on top of the normal registration fee and if you want to keep your existing plate number it will be an additional $20. 

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