Mandatory License Plate Replacement Announced

This week, the Governor announced that New Yorkers can vote on the state’s next license plate design, which will be available in April. It was also announced that the state will require plates older than 10 years be replaced upon a vehicle registration renewal. The cost will be $25 for the new plate, plus a $20 up-charge to retain the old plate number. Critics formed quickly, calling on the mandate to be paid for by the state or otherwise eliminated. The Governor maintains that the shift to a new plate was necessary to help implement a cashless tolling system. That system, the Governor says, performs best when the design of a license plate is on a light background with dark lettering; optimal conditions for the cameras to properly read the plate.

Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan said:

“If you needed any more evidence that one-party Democrat rule in Albany is a recipe for billions of dollars in new and burdensome taxes, Governor Cuomo reinforced it recently when he announced that the state will require millions of drivers to buy new license plates starting next year.

This is a regurgitation of the same, uninspired idea that Governor David Paterson proposed a decade ago, one that failed thanks to strong opposition from County Clerks and Republicans in the state Legislature. It’s also the latest example of Albany’s nickel-and-diming of hardworking middle-class taxpayers.

Add this to the $4.6 Billion in taxes and fees imposed in this year’s budget by the Governor and the all-Democrat Legislature, and it all adds up to a death by a thousand cuts. New taxes on internet purchases and grocery bags. A new commuter tax. The elimination of the much-needed property tax rebate checks. And, now $25-$45 a pop for every vehicle New York families put on the road.

Enough is enough. It’s time to stop spending other people’s money so we can give New Yorkers the tax relief they need and deserve.”

Assemblyman Santabarbara said:

“The Governor’s license plate replacement program announced today amounts to nothing more than more of our hard earned money going to the state. On April 1st, 2020, if your plates are 10 years old it will cost you $25 MORE for new plates, regardless of their condition. Seems like the state just keeps finding new reasons to issue new plates and take more of our hard-earned money. Enough is enough; if these plates are necessary the state should provide the replacements at NO COST.”