WINNER: Keep Up Fight Against DMV Fees

Albany, N.Y., November 17–Since it was enacted by New York Governor David Paterson and the Democratic leaders of the state Legislature last April, State Senator George Winner (R-C-I, Elmira) has protested the 2009-2010 state budget for raising taxes and fees to the tune of more than $8 billion.Now Winner plans to keep joining county clerks and citizens statewide voicing opposition to a new state mandate that will require every New York motorist to purchase new license plates beginning in April 2010 — whether they’re needed or not, at a cost of $25 per vehicle. The new $25-per-vehicle license plate requirement was included in this year’s state budget and is expected to raise $129 million for the state’s coffers.While in recent days Paterson and his fellow Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly have indicated a willingness to rescind the new mandate, Winner highlighted news reports today in which a Paterson spokesman said the state plans to move forward with the mandate “until there is an agreement on how to replace that revenue.” Winner characterized today’s comments from the Paterson administration as “Albanyspeak for ‘full speed ahead’ on a state mandate that’s still on the books.”Consequently, Winner remains wary of pledges to eliminate the mandate since the governor and legislative leaders have “demonstrated no ability whatsoever to reach agreement on anything important to New York’s taxpayers.” He urged taxpayers to continue to keep up the pressure on Paterson and legislative leaders to immediately eliminate the mandate and, as part of the ongoing protest effort, has launched a new “Join The Fight!” petition on his Web site, winner.nysenate.gov, which can be signed online by residents of his 53rd Senate District (Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and a portion of Tompkins County).“We just have to keep raising our voices against this tax madness. This online petition is one more way to do it,” said Winner, who voted against this year’s budget. “New York’s Democratic leaders have proven that when the going gets tough, they go looking for a new tax. They still don’t understand that New York’s taxpayers can’t take any more taxes.”