Barra calls for repeal of new state fees

Assemblyman Robert Barra (R-Lynbrook) said he’s outraged at what he describes as a ”blatant money grab orchestrated by Gov. David Paterson and his cohorts in the state Legislature.” As part of the 2009-10 state budget, which he voted against, drivers licenses and registration fees will increase dramatically.

“Albany has a serious spending problem; like an addict, it continues to find new ways to get what it needs. Sadly those hurt the most are Long Island families forced from their homes simply because they can no longer afford to live here. These motor vehicle fee increases are just the latest attempt by legislative leaders and our governor to siphon every dollar they can from New York taxpayers,” said Barra.

Effective Sept. 1, drivers license and vehicle registration fees will increase 25 percent, which means an average class D driver’s license will go from $50 to $64.50 and registering an average-weight vehicle will increase from $45 to $56.

Adding insult to injury, Barra said, in April, all registered vehicles will be required to get new license plates and renewed registrations that will force motorists to pay the new registration fee plus an increased $25 fee for the license plate, up from $15.

“By state mandate every person will have to pay the fees necessary to obtain new licenses plates for their vehicles. In an obvious attempt to add money to the state’s shrinking coffers, anyone who wants to keep their license plate number will have to pay an additional $20. It is outright robbery,” said Barra.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, in the 12-county MTA region that includes Nassau, there will also be a $16 supplemental fee on all driver’s licenses, bringing the cost for a standard driver’s license to $80.50.There is also a $50 supplemental fee for all vehicle registrations in addition to the 25 percent increase. Keep in mind this doesn’t include any additional county taxes and fees that might be tacked on.

“Long Island residents are leaving the region and the state in droves because they can no longer afford to live here. That’s why I’m calling for the immediate repeal of such fees and for better solutions to be found to make up for declining revenues,” said Barra.

“Rather than trying to take water from a stone, New York must find new, innovative ways to rein in state spending and limit its bloated budget,” concluded Barra. “When the governor calls the state Legislature back into session this fall to tackle our state’s estimated $2.1 billion budget shortfall, we must make certain that no new taxes or fees are approved to deal with the unexpected budget gap. The bottom line is our residents just can’t afford to pay one more dime.”