Assemblymember Cahill’s Statement on the Elimination of New License Plates and Fees

November 25, 2009

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D- Ulster, Dutchess) spoke on the New York State Assembly’s decision to repeal a provision of the 2009-2010 New York State Budget requiring all registered vehicles to be refitted with new license plates after April 1, 2010.

“In these times of unprecedented economic downturn any financial burden to the taxpayers must be practical,” Assemblymember Cahill stated. “The need for new license plates is not justifiable and I am pleased that the Legislature made a bipartisan decision to halt a plan which would have unduly taxed millions of New York State motorists.”

Through a bipartisan effort, the Assembly has announced that it will eliminate the requirement that all New York State vehicle owners must purchase new license plates, which would have cost each registered motorist $25 to obtain new license plates, with an additional $20 fee for motorists who chose to maintain their current plate numbers. In a joint statement, Speaker Sheldon Silver and Minority Leader Brian Kolb confirmed that Governor Paterson is committed to this repeal and the Assembly is dedicated to working with the Executive Chamber to see this action through.

“We have made a commitment to the people and I have pledged to maintain an affordable State for our residents to not only live, but to flourish within,” Assemblymember Cahill said. “By reforming our finances and making the right decisions, we can create a balanced Budget and bring New York back to the forefront of prosperity.”

Assemblymember Cahill added that in addition to eliminating the new license plate issuance, he rejected multiple nuisance taxes and fees during budget negotiations in April. In rejecting these proposals, New York families saved more than $2.1 billion. This year’s budget rejected taxes on:

• A 4 percent sales tax increase on clothing and footwear under $110 – saving New Yorkers about $462 million
• Non-diet soft drinks – a savings of $404 million
• Capital improvements on homes – saving $120 million on 2009-10 and $160 million on 2010-11
• Cable, satellite television and radio services – saving New Yorkers about $136 million
• Haircuts, nail salon visits and other personal service items – saving New Yorkers $78 million
• Movie tickets, sporting events and other entertainment-related purchases – a saving of $53 million
• Digital downloads – saving New Yorkers $15 million
• Flavored malt beverages – saving $15 million
• Filing a paper tax return – saving taxpayers $6.8 million
• Trout and salmon fishing stamps – saving anglers $3 million
• Store coupons – saving an estimated $3 million

For more information or questions about the repeal of the license plate reissue, please call Mr. Cahill’s Kingston office at (845) 338-9610.

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