By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-857759.mp3
Albany, NY – Come tomorrow, you'll need to dig a little deeper into your pocket to pay for a new vehicle registration or driver's license in New York State... Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
As of September first, state Department of Motor Vehicles registration fees will go up for passenger and commercial vehicles, trailers, taxis, buses, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and motorboats. The changes were called for in the state budget passed this year. Registration for passenger vehicles, will increase from $44 to $55. The cost of a driver's license or a renewal will rise by 25 percent - pushing the cost of a standard, eight-year renewal up from $50 to $62.50. With the increases comes a requirement that all people obtaining or renewing registrations starting April 1, 2010, must buy new license plates for $25. If people want to keep their existing plate numbers, it will still cost $20.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is criticizing Democrats for allowing the fee hikes, which he wants repealed. Governor David Paterson's office referred questions to state Division of the Budget spokesman Matt Anderson, who blames the fee hikes on the economy. Anderson points out that this is the first time registration fees have increased since 1998, and the first time driver's license fees have increased since 1992... the Governor's office has ordered that the revenue be directed to the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund, used for road improvement projects and DMV operations.
Jim Tedisco says instead of increasing Department of Motor Vehicle fees, the state could have reduced spending by consolidating state government operations. Tedisco notes upstate residents have had it with rising costs... he says Republicans have sat down with the Governor to talk about eliminating non-essential purchases and services. The GOP is also suggesting the elimination of "member items" in the state budget.