Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) who voted against this year’s budget, calling it “a missed opportunity” and stating, “We were not prepared for a budget that is full of more tax-and-spend policies than ever before,” spoke out again today on the numerous tax and fee hikes as new DMV fees go into effect.
The fee hikes will affect driver licenses, vehicle registration and, come April 2010, will require all drivers to purchase new license plates. The cost of driver licenses has jumped 25 percent; a Class D license now will cost $64.50, or an additional $14.50. Registration fees also will go up roughly 25 percent, from $45 to $56.
“This year’s budget was filled with over 100 new taxes and fees. Instead of fixing the problems within the system, the Assembly Majority and the governor have sought to cover them up by passing the burden onto hardworking families of New York already struggling to make ends meet,” stated Reilich. “These new fees are yet another example of our broken tax-and-spend system, pawning off debt onto taxpayers. Albany needs to tighten their belts in this economy and I will continue to fight for this issue until the system is finally changed.”