Assemblymember Cahill’s Statement on DMV Fee Increases

September 1, 2009

In view of this year’s unprecedented $21 billion deficit, the Legislature worked with the Governor to pass a timely budget that protects essential services and the quality of our health care and education systems without further shifting the burden to property taxpayers. While it is not at all pleasant to curtail services and raise taxes and fees, the plan strikes a fair balance between necessary spending reductions, the application of federal stimulus aid and increases in revenue sources.

As a part of the budget, starting today, drivers in New York who are renewing their license or registering their cars will see an increase in the associated fees to provide much needed funding to maintain our roads and bridges. Any increase is difficult and this is no exception. Some of my colleagues in the Assembly minority have voiced their dissent over this issue but have failed to offer commensurate alternative solutions. Raising taxes and fees is always a difficult decision, but as Legislators it is our job to produce a balanced spending plan. The Assembly worked to ensure that New Yorkers shared the burden equitably. In doing so we were able to protect some of our most vital services.

In the context of the entirety of the budget, I am proud, for example that we were able to safe guard education funding. Schools in the 101st Assembly District saw an overall increase of nearly $6 million in aid as compared to last year. The needs of our families and real property tax payers took precedence over all else.

While my Assembly minority colleagues are quick to protest increased fees, they are silent regarding the nearly $1.3 billion in proposed nuisance taxes that were eliminated from the budget. As they stand to be heard about motor vehicle charges, they conveniently forget our continued commitment to reducing property taxpayers’ burden by dedicating $3.5 billion to the state School Tax Relief (STAR) program. These actions will help the hard working families across New York save money in these difficult economic times.

It is important that we are mindful of our current budget crisis and I thank these individuals for keeping this issue in the public eye. The continued deterioration of general revenues is going to require more tough budgetary decisions in the coming weeks. While some of my colleagues are complaining about what has already been done, many of us are hard at work on solutions that will keep our state running and local assistance flowing. I hope they will join me and embrace nonpartisan solutions with the same fervor they have shown today.

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