In response to Gov. Cuomo’s recently announced new tax to replace license plates over 10 years old, Assemblyman McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is demanding Gov. Cuomo rescind his latest tax proposal.

Under the plan; an estimated 3 million New Yorker’s are in need of a new license plate, at the expense of $25 per person. Anyone wishing to keep their existing plates will be forced to pay an additional $20. This new fee will generate $75 million in revenue at the expense of taxpayers.

“In a state with a budget of $170 billion, it makes no sense for taxpayers to bear this unnecessary burden,” said McDonough. “Gov. Cuomo continues to attack New Yorker’s with his decision to force drivers to update their license plates. New York has one of the biggest budgets in the country, yet citizens fail to receive any financial relief. This is another unnecessary Albany cash grab and a way to hit New Yorkers in the pocket without explicitly calling it a tax.”

The governor claims new license plates are required in order for the EZ pass system to operate more efficiently. Many have criticized this rationale, and reference Massachusetts, which went to cashless tolling in 2016 and hasn’t changed plates since 1987. Former Gov. Paterson, attempted to implement new license plates 10 years ago, but the proposition ultimately failed after overwhelming public opposition.

“This new attempt to take away the hard-earned money of New York’s citizens must be met with fierce resistance,” said McDonough. “The price of living in this state has risen to monumental levels and the people of New York should not be subject to this financial prison. New York doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem.”