Disastrous Budget Results in Increased Dmv Fees

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today warned motorists and boaters that motor vehicle fees and taxes will go up by 25 percent beginning September 1, 2009 as a result of increases approved by Democrats in Albany.  The increases will be hard-felt by suburban commuters who depend on their cars to get to work, school, and doctor appointments, go shopping, and run daily errands.

“Anyone who drives a car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, or boat will be paying more when they go to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration,” said Senator LaValle.  “These tax and fee increases come on the heels of higher taxes on wine, beer, internet purchases, and car insurance and in the wake of increases on hunting and fishing licenses.  The biggest hit will come this fall when homeowners don’t get their STAR rebate checks, which were eliminated by the Democrats.”

The motor vehicle fee hikes will cost an average middle class family more than $180 each year.  The increases were included in the more than $8.5 billion in taxes and fees approved by Governor Paterson and the Democrats in this year’s state budget.  Now, Senate Democrats are talking about new taxes to close the latest budget gap, which was caused by an unprecedented $13 billion spending increase.

“Taxpayers have had enough.  That is why I voted against every one of the tax increases included in the budget and will continue to oppose tax hikes to close the budget gap,” concluded Senator LaValle.