You’re Outta Here!
Finally, some good news coming from Albany.
Which doesn’t happen very often these days, so suck it in while you can.
St. Lawrence County Clerk Patty Ritchie announced today that Central and Northern New Yorkers – we being the Northern, Northern, Northern, Northern, etc. variety – will save $7.3 million now that Gov. David Paterson has decided that his plan to issue new license plates really might have seemed like a good idea at the time but totally sucked in the long run.
Mrs. Ritchie and Oswego County Clerk George Williams organized an online petition drive that collected more than 100,000 names of New Yorkers who rejected the license plate reissue plan, which would have required every New Yorker to replace their existing plates and pay a fee of $25 or more.
Now, the governor says, he’s canceling the program and eliminating the plates from the new budget that he’s scheduled to unveil next month, after state lawmakers failed to follow through on a pledge to repeal the mandate during their special budget session earlier this month.
“They didn’t address it,” Mr. Paterson said, referring to the lawmakers, “but I’m not going to put it in the budget.”
His announcement came just one day after Mrs. Ritchie, Mr. Williams and the state’s County Clerks sent him and legislative leaders letters demanding answers on the status of the plate reissue program.
“County Clerks from across the state stood with taxpayers and motorists in a bipartisan effort to deliver the message to Albany that we’ve had enough of higher taxes and fees,” Mrs. Ritchie said. “We’re glad someone finally listened, and canceled this poorly conceived plan, that was really just another raid on our wallets and family budgets at a time when many New Yorkers are struggling just to make ends meet.”
“The very people who supported this plan pledged to fix it, but failed. But now, thanks to the efforts of County Clerks and 100,000 New Yorkers who stood up to fight, Albany is backing down,” Mr. Williams said.
That’s good news for us because the state can’t pay its bills these days and instead of tightening their belts they’re looking for any way they can to gouge the taxpayer to bring in some more revenue.
This time they won’t get it.
Thank you, Patty.
What wonderful news!!! Thanks Patty Ritchie
How about going to bat for us tax preparers who have to cough up $100 fee this year to do taxes in NY?
12/17/09 Thank you Patty for a job well done. It's about time the tax payers have something to say. This should be done on a lots of these issues. We are known as the State of taxes. They say the State is going broke How about Patterson and some of his people take a cut in thier pay. But they don't they always vote on giving their self a raise. Do they think were all stupid? Ever body is moving out of state because of the taxes
and the lack of job's up here. I'de say enough is enough. It's time for the people to speak out and our elected officals. Thanks again for a job well done.