After another state budget negotiated in complete secrecy, New Yorkers are being forced to suffer the consequences of a reckless budget that is riddled with tax and fee increases and contains no real solutions to pull our state out of this fiscal crisis. Even though I actively fought against these new and increased taxes and fees, unfortunately, the Assembly Majority pushed through these disastrous hikes that became part of the 2009-10 Enacted State Budget, which I voted against.
Some of the most egregious fee increases include new hikes on transactions motorists will have to pay at their next trip to their local department of motor vehicles. As of September 1, motor vehicle registration fees increased by 25% on passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, taxi and buses, motorboats, ATVs and heavy vehicles. This will equate to an $11 increase on a car weighing 3,500 pounds. Also, driver license fees, original and renewal, are going to receive a 25% increase, which means that the average Class D license fee will increase from $50 to $64.50. Lastly, effective April 1, 2010, all registered vehicles will be required to get new license plates. These license plates will cost $25 (a $10 increase from the previous new license fee of $15) and will be required when the car’s registration is renewed.
As our state and country face the worst fiscal crisis in recent history, the governor and Legislature should be working together to formulate a plan that will ease the burden on hard-working families, not make it worse. We need to have a comprehensive plan that cuts spending and eliminates the waste so new or increased taxes and fees are not necessary. This is going to be at the top of my agenda for the new legislative session, and I will be speaking with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make this idea a reality.