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In response to an outrageous new mandate requiring every New Yorker to purchase new license plates, whether they need one or not, State Senator Mike Nozzolio has started on online petition campaign to repeal the mandate, which will cost motorists $25 per vehicle. The new plate requirement was included in the 2009-10 State budget enacted by Governor Paterson and New York City legislators now dictating State policy.

“This New York City-driven tax hike is especially hurtful to Upstate New Yorkers, because people depend on their cars to get to work, go to school, shop and travel throughout their communities. Cars are not a luxury for the residents of Upstate New York, as we do not have the same access to public transportation that Downstate residents enjoy,” said Senator Nozzolio. “This absurd new license plate fee also comes in addition to the 25 percent increase in driver’s license and registration fees that were included in the budget and are already in place.”

Drivers can join the fight to eliminate the new motor vehicle taxes and license plate plan by signing Senator Nozzolio’s petition online.

County clerks across the state have also initiated a campaign against the license plate replacement plan and have collected thousands of signatures in opposition.

“Clearly, Upstate New Yorkers cannot afford more taxes. It is ridiculous that they are now being forced to pay $25 to replace a perfectly good license plate,” said Senator Nozzolio who opposed the new requirement and voted against the state budget.  “The license plate requirement is a prime example of the New York City legislators’ tax schemes to reach even deeper into every taxpayer’s pocket and fuel an endless appetite for more government spending. We must stand up against these intrusive new taxes and urge Governor Paterson to stop the license plate plan immediately.”

The plan requires motorists to purchase new license plates over a two year period beginning April 1, 2010, as their registration comes due.  New plates will cost each vehicle owner an extra $25. The new plates are in addition to the increase in driver’s license and motor vehicle fees that took effect September 1, 2009.

The 2009-10 budget has already increased driver’s licenses and registration fees by 25 percent, creating an additional cost to New York drivers projected to be almost $152 million over the next two years.  They increased registration fees for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, trailers, taxis, busses, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, construction vehicles, motorboats and custom vehicles.

“At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet and businesses are forced to cut jobs or leave the state, Governor Paterson enacted a budget with $8.5 billion in new taxes and fees, including the license plate scheme, to pay for billions of dollars in new spending.  The result of this spending binge is a $4 billion deficit,” Senator Nozzolio said.  “The taxes and spending have to stop. I encourage every taxpayer to sign on to my petition drive to let the Governor know that enough is enough.”